Argentina renationalizes Parana-Paraguay waterway operations

[peppertree]

Argentine President Alberto Fernández has renationalized the administration of the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway by decree, granting control to the General Ports Administration (AGP).

The decision, formalized on Thursday via Decree 427/2021, assigns the tasks of the hands control of the river network’s maintenance (including dredging) to the port authority for at least 12 months until a new, long-term international concession is awarded.

The AGP administration extends for some 1,238 kilometers (769 miles) to the Paraná River’s outlet into the River Plate estuary downstream, near Buenos Aires.

The waterway is a key route for exports, carrying 125 million tons of cargo annually and accounting for 80% of Argentine foreign trade.

Extending some 3,500 km (2,175 miles) into central Brazil - it's believed to account for most of the estimated $10 billion in unregistered exports, mainly soy and grains.

Thursday’s decree brings to an end a quarter-century of administration by the Belgian dredging company Jan de Nul and its local partner Emepa since 1995, once the 90-day rollover ruled by Resolution 129/2021 last April expires.

At: https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/economy/government-hands-control-of-parana-paraguay-waterway-to-port-agency.phtml

Freighters ply the Paraná River near Rosario, Argentina.

The Paraná-Paraguay Waterway, whose operations were privatized in 1995, accounts for most of the estimated $10 billion in unregistered exports (mainly soy and grains).

Senator Jorge Taiana, a leading proponent of its renationalization, noted that the concession had expired and that "in the U.S. the important rivers are dredged by the Army (Corps of Engineers) because it's a matter of national security."

[Judi Lynn]

1. Exceptionally good news. Need someone totally serious in control, particularly now.

Large river, large boats.

[peppertree]

2. Argentina's "Old Man River" - as the Parana is sometimes called by geographers

Like the Mississippi, so much of its riverbound commerce goes through it - and like the Mississippi (but even more so), it requires constant dredging.

Here's hoping re-nationalizing the waterway's management will result in less foreign exchange being lost to contrabanding grain exports through Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay - hence this decision.

On a lighter note, I haven't visited the Paraná in many years. Of course though, I'm only familiar with the Paraná delta - a popular weekend destination for Buenos Aires residents (some of whom own vacation cottages there).

Enjoy!