The Argentine government has announced that several companies are interested in participating in the bidding process for the concession of the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway.

According to Infobae, the government has delegated the responsibility of calling companies and awarding the national and international public tender for the toll concession of the Main Navigable Waterway (VNT) to the Undersecretary of Ports and Waterways.

“There is a firm decision by the Executive Branch to call for a public tender, and we know that several firms are interested in participating,” stated Argentine Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos.

The tender, which can be split into contracts depending on the sections or activities, will include modernization, expansion, operation, and maintenance of the signaling system, along with the necessary dredging tasks.

“The intention is to call for a public tender and end the opacity and suspicion surrounding the handling of the waterway’s concession extension,” Francos emphasized.

It is worth noting that until 2021, the concession was held by the Belgian company Jan de Nul in conjunction with the Argentine company Emepa. However, after the contract ended, it fell under the Main Navigable Waterway.