Antaq receives demand assessment for future Brazil-Uruguay waterway

The Uruguayan government handed over the final demand assessment for implementing a water terminal dedicated to agricultural cargo shipments on the future Mercosur waterway connecting Brazil and Uruguay. The study’s delivery took place at the Embassy of Uruguay this Friday (December 1st).

Drafted by Uruguayan private entities, the study focuses on establishing the Tacuari terminal to be constructed along the Taquari River on the shores of Lagoa Mirim in Uruguay. The data will support the installation and concession project of the Lagoa Mirim – Lagoa dos Patos Waterway.

This initiative aims to enhance legal certainty and improve the quality of the binational waterway concession study. Brazilian and Uruguayan authorities received preliminary demand documents for the terminal in September this year.

Apart from the presence of ANTAQ’s Director-General, the ceremony was attended by the Uruguayan Ambassador Guillermo Valles, representatives of private entities, officials from the State Government of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.

The concession of the Lagoa Mirim – Lagoa dos Patos Waterway, also known as the Brazil-Uruguay waterway, is a priority for ANTAQ and is outlined in the Agency’s Hydroviary General Licensing Plan (PGO).

The binational hydro transport project covers sections of seven rivers, with a total length of 1,860 kilometers. Navigating through the waterway will enable the transportation of goods to the Port of Pelotas, facilitating cargo shipments through routes in the Atlantic Ocean.

Dredging Works

During the delivery ceremony, the Director-General expressed gratitude for the study and emphasized the importance of collaboration between private entities, ANTAQ, the embassy, state, and federal governments. He also highlighted that the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT), a key partner responsible for implementing and dredging the waterway, plans to deliver the basic project and service execution tender by December 15.

“The more supporters we have for this project, the better. We are making progress but cannot afford a minute of inattention. This document is crucial for our modeling and for staying on schedule. DNIT has an important delivery for this month so that we can proceed with this crucial agenda for both countries,” he stated.

Uruguayan Ambassador Guillermo Valles emphasized the importance of aligning binational public policies with the private sector to realize the waterway connecting the two countries.

“There is no navigation without a port terminal. This study reinforces the need for the installation of this waterway. It is important to emphasize that ANTAQ has been a crucial partner in realizing this project. We are among partners in a fraternal and highly desired project by both public and private entities,” he commented.

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