Argentina: Multipurpose Port Terminal to Be Built in Escobar

The Argentine government has announced the construction of a multipurpose port terminal in Escobar, one of the 135 municipalities in the province of Buenos Aires, located along the Paraná de las Palmas River. In addition, a second dock specially designed for the export of commodities will also be built, as reported by Zona Norte Hoy.

The initiative, financed with private capital, requires an investment of over 600 million dollars. Mayor Ariel Sujarchuk initially proposed the project during his first term.

In March this year, during the opening of the City Council sessions, the mayor had already indicated that the municipality was “working with national agencies to secure the construction of a port to generate new sources of revenue, improve the region’s logistics, and even enhance road safety by reducing heavy traffic in urban centers.”

The new port is expected to focus on exports, becoming a strategic hub in the Paraná-Paraguay waterway with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. The project is estimated to generate around 3,000 direct jobs, including 1,500 for constructing roads, basic port infrastructure, and operational kick-off, and another 1,500 for specialized labor, such as workers, foremen, directors, and other professionals.

An indirect positive impact is also anticipated, as oil companies, fuel stations, supply centers, lodging facilities, warehouses, and transportation and logistics services will be needed. The terminal will feature advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and renewable energy.

Check below the main container-handling ports in Argentina from January to October 2024. The data is from Dataliner.

Top container ports in Argentina | Jan to Oct 2024 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The company leading the project, Terminal Marítima Escobar S.A. (TME), has already obtained approval for a pre-feasibility study from the Municipality of Escobar. Furthermore, at the municipality’s request, the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) conducted an environmental impact report, which the company must submit to the authorities of the Province of Buenos Aires for analysis and possible approval.

The project also includes the construction of an 18-kilometer highway—with entry and exit points along the route—that will connect the terminal to the Pan-American Highway near Escobar’s industrial park. The multipurpose port terminal will be located at kilometer 77 on the right bank of the Paraná de las Palmas River and will serve as a logistics center. It will feature a dock 375 meters long and 17 meters deep, occupying an initial area of 32 hectares and potentially expanding to over 80 hectares.

The dock designed to export commodities will be located at kilometers 70 of the river. It will have a dock nearly 240 meters long and operational areas covering 50 hectares, which are also expandable. The project also plans to allocate an operational area to the Argentine Naval Prefecture to strengthen security and control.

This project will be of great importance for the municipality of Escobar due to its proximity to the ocean compared to other ports along the waterway, such as the terminals in San Nicolás, San Pedro, and Rosario. The unique location, with deep waters, will allow ships to dock and depart with larger loads than operations further upstream. Additionally, the port will not be affected by low water levels caused by droughts, a recurring issue linked to the “La Niña” weather phenomenon.

As part of the waterway, the river is a vital artery for transporting grains, minerals, fuels, and industrial products. The construction of modern infrastructure, such as the “Terminal Marítima Escobar,” leverages this natural advantage to boost the country’s export capacity.

Source: Portal Portuário

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