Brazil: Argentine tax on waterways increases demand for Paranaguá Port

In January 2023, the Argentine waterway toll for vessels in the section between Confluência Santa Fe and Paso Queso in the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway came into force.

Resolution No. 1023/2022, issued by Argentina’s Ministry of Transportation, approved the charge of US$1.47 per tonne transported on the 1,180-kilometer stretch of the waterway.

The purpose of the fee is to be used for dredging and signaling works.

Given this, the Federation of Production, Industry, and Trade of Paraguay (Feprinco) requested a review of the plan by the national government.

While the measure is still in force, importers are looking for new destination options, mainly the Port of Paranaguá, which has gained strength in the Paraguayan market.

The commercial coordinator for Paraguay of TCP (Paranaguá Container Terminal), André Frigotto, explains:

“The company is the main Brazilian alternative for foreign trade in the neighboring country. One of the advantages of the land route is the travel time, which is 25 to 30 days faster than by barge. Another advantage present in TCP is the existence of the Paraguayan Bonded Warehouse, a mandatory requirement for the international transportation of imported cargo destined for Paraguay”.

Another advantage for importers who opt for logistics through the Paranaguá Port is land transportation since the construction of the International Integration Bridge, the second structure in Paraná to connect the two countries, will be one more option that will energize the regional market.

“With the new bridge, the expectation is to divert traffic from the Ponte da Amizade. The new structure will be connected to the eastern perimeter, taking trucks directly to BR-277. It is a work that demonstrates Brazil’s interest in investing in logistics and attracting more and more Paraguayans to Brazilian routes,” Frigotto said.

According to the State News Agency of the Government of Paraná, the structure of the Integration Bridge is already finished.

What remains are the finishing touches, which are in process, such as the installation of internal and external railings.

The Secretariat of Infrastructure and Logistics of the Government of the State of Paraná said the forecast for completion of the perimeter works is December 2023, but the deadline will be reviewed in the coming months, depending on the progress of the services.

With information from PortalPortuario