The Argentinean waterway toll for ships on the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway between Confluencia Santa Fe and Paso Queso became effective in January 2023.
The Argentine Ministry of Transportation authorised the US$1.47 charge per ton carried on the 1,180-km length of the canal in Resolution No. 1023/2022. The charge is intended to be used for dredging and signalling projects.
According to the statement, the policy is disliked among Paraguayan importers and exporters. The Paraguayan Federation of Production, Industry, and Commerce (Feprinco) has asked for the proposal to be reviewed by the national government.
While the measure continues to be in effect, importers are looking for new options, the major one being the port of Paranaguá, which has grown in importance in the Paraguayan market.
According to the Paranagua Container Terminal, shipping through the port provides benefits to Paraguayan businesses, which will be bolstered by the new bridge linking Brazil and Paraguay.
“The company is the main Brazilian alternative for foreign trade in the neighbouring country. One of the advantages of the overland route is the travel time: 25 to 30 days faster than by barges. Another advantage present in TCP is the existence of the Paraguayan Bonded Deposit, a mandatory requirement for international transport of imported cargoes destined to Paraguay,” stated André Frigotto, commercial coordinator for Paraguay of TCP (Paranaguá Container Terminal).
