New Temporary Concession Agreement with AGP for the Vía Navegable Troncal

On October 17, 2024, the National Transport Secretariat and the General Ports Administration (AGP) signed a new temporary concession agreement for Argentina’s main navigable waterway. The objective is to create a more flexible and streamlined framework that meets the transitional needs of managing the country’s primary international trade route.

The updated contract focuses on reducing bureaucracy and setting clear paths for modernization. This includes technological upgrades for navigation, dredging operations, signaling, and hydrometric monitoring. Additionally, several adjustments were made to optimize the waterway’s sections, ensuring a more efficient flow and aligning with the needs of the agro-export sector in the Gran Rosario region. Specifically, the extension of section 1.3 to include port terminals in the Timbúes area addresses previous disadvantages. The modification also improved the depth of the stretch between Timbúes and Santa Fe to its natural draft, enhancing navigability.

Furthermore, La Plata’s harbor was added to section 1.2, ensuring equal competitiveness for ports along the Río de la Plata. The agreement also opens up possibilities for deeper dredging proposals to enhance navigability while awaiting future bidding as mandated by Decree 709/2024.

These changes aim to boost efficiency and promote competitiveness in Argentina’s maritime trade infrastructure, supporting the country’s economic growth.