The new concession for the Paraná-Paraguay Hidrovía promises to significantly reduce Argentina’s logistical costs and strengthen its main foreign trade route.

According to Luis Zubizarreta, vice president of the Chamber of Private and Commercial Ports, the country faces a historic opportunity to gain competitiveness.

“We are going to start a series of works that will improve the river, allow larger ships to enter, and enable them to leave with greater cargo,” said Zubizarreta.

Concrete savings for producers

The main impact will be economic: an estimated saving of nearly 10 dollars per ton on maritime freight, benefiting 80% of Argentina’s foreign trade that flows through the hidrovía.

“That is a lot of money that will go directly into the pockets of producers, exporters, and even importers,” highlighted Zubizarreta.

The leader explained that by being able to load ships to full capacity, the final transportation cost is reduced. This benefit, he noted, will be fully passed on to the price received by the producer, because the value of grains is set on the international market.

“They will receive a better price, and that better price will equal the total savings,” he assured.

Private concession with no state funds

One of the most relevant novelties is the bidding model: a concession at entrepreneurial risk with no state guarantees. The private company that wins the bid will collect the toll that the State currently receives and will be responsible for the dredging and maintenance works.

“The State is exiting the concession system. Here, there will be a private company that will continue to collect the toll,” explained Zubizarreta.

An initial 13% saving in the toll value is expected, but the greatest benefits will come with the progress of the river deepening works, which will take several years.

A “trident” with railways and cabotage

Zubizarreta pointed out that this transformation must be complemented by two other major concessions the Government is preparing: railways (for 50 years) and the development of cabotage (inland waterway cargo transport).

“Combining railway with rivers, I think we are going to have good news,” he stated.

Regional integration and geopolitical effect

The improvement of the hidrovía does not only benefit Argentina. Neighboring countries such as Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia will also see a strong positive impact. Zubizarreta revealed that a Brazilian delegation recently visited Rosario to analyze the opportunities.

“Today, around 25 million tons move through the hidrovía system from the north. In five years, that volume is going to double,” he anticipated.

This growth in commercial flows will strengthen the real integration of the region and will allow part of that cargo to be industrialized on Argentine soil.

Closing: an opportunity for development

Beyond the numbers, Zubizarreta emphasized that the hidrovía represents a natural advantage that Argentina cannot continue to waste.

“We are a country that is far from the markets, and that is an obstacle, but we have the blessing of this great river that brings us closer,” he reflected.

With this concession, the country seeks to make a leap in competitiveness that allows growth in exports, job creation, and progress toward sustained development, especially in agribusiness, mining, and energy.

The bidding marks a turning point: moving from a deficitary state system to private management with concrete investment obligations. If properly executed and with the corresponding environmental studies, it could become one of the main drivers of the Argentine economy in the coming years.