The national government highlighted that “for the first time in recent decades,” significant progress has been made in tendering the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway, a crucial process for navigation and trade in the region. This progress was achieved “through two decrees (699/2024 and 709/2024) published in the Official Gazette.”

Key Measures and Reorganization

The Secretariat of Transportation noted that “after many years of indecision, concrete steps are finally being taken towards a new concession contract.” This progress is largely due to the mentioned decrees, which included the dissolution of ineffective organizations, administrative reorganization, and the declaration of dredging, redredging, beaconing, maintenance, signaling, and control of national jurisdiction waterways as a public service.

Without these decrees, it would have been “unthinkable to organize or plan a concession,” sources in the sector assured. Currently, they are working on the preparation of the tender documents, which will be finalized in the coming months before the call for bids. For the government, it is essential to “provide clarity and legal certainty in the sector.”

Public Service Declaration and Continuity in Management

Decree 699/2024 declared dredging and other related activities in the main navigable waterway as a public service, a decision aimed at ensuring the continuity and regularity of these services, which are fundamental for interjurisdictional navigation and the development of the regional economies of the La Plata Basin. The General Administration of Ports (AGP) will maintain the current level of service until new contracts are awarded.

Meanwhile, Decree 709/2024 delegated to the Secretariat of Transportation the responsibility for calling and awarding tenders for the waterway. This measure streamlines processes and allows contracts to be divided into segments or activities based on technical considerations.

Dissolution of ECOVINA and Next Steps

The government also dissolved the National Entity for the Control and Management of the Navigable Waterway (ECOVINA), which was created during the previous administration but, in its two years of existence, failed to make significant progress in the regulations for the development of the Main Navigable Waterway. ECOVINA cost the National Government $195,427,770 in 2023 without producing relevant results.

Finally, the government assured that work is underway on the preparation of the tender documents, a task led by the Undersecretariat of Ports and Navigable Waterways, with the collaboration of various organizations and sector stakeholders. This is the next key step in ensuring the development and efficiency of the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway.

Key Points:

• The government has made significant progress in the tender for the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway through two recent decrees.
• Dredging and other key activities were declared public services to ensure continuity and efficiency in navigation.
• The General Administration of Ports will maintain current services until new contracts are awarded.
• The National Entity for the Control and Management of the Navigable Waterway (ECOVINA) was dissolved due to its ineffectiveness.