Uruguay in talks with Argentina to dredge Port of Montevideo’s access channel

The Government of Uruguay is actively pursuing deepening the access channel to the Port of Montevideo. The dredging project, which aims to reach depths of up to 14 meters, is currently being processed by the Administrative Commission of the Río de la Plata (CARP). As part of this endeavor, negotiations are underway with Argentina to secure the necessary guarantees to complete the work between kilometers 57 and 62.

It is worth noting that discussions on increasing the canal’s depth had already taken place during the tenure of former Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez. At that time, negotiations had secured Argentina’s green light for the project. However, the President of the National Ports Administration of Uruguay (ANP) at the time, Alberto Díaz, submitted a proposal for a 13-meter depth at the time, which was ultimately approved, as reported by Uruguayan newspaper El País.

The deepening of the access channel to 14 meters would allow for the passage of ships measuring 399 meters in length, 61 meters in width, and with a draft of 13.8 meters at the Katoen Natie container terminal. Such vessels have a capacity of up to 24,000 TEUs.

Silvia Etchebarne Vivian, President of the Uruguayan Maritime League, emphasized the importance of fulfilling this commitment, stating, “Although it might not be immediately necessary and a 13-meter depth already outperforms Buenos Aires in terms of comparative advantage, the State has made a binding agreement with the companies. There is no turning back now. We must achieve that depth. It took a long time to submit the executive project to the CARP. It was an excellent project, but, unfortunately, Argentina is presently unwilling to promptly authorize the dredging of the access channel to a 14-meter depth.”

Uruguayan authorities are hopeful that the ongoing process with the CARP will soon be completed, leading to Argentina’s validation of the project to deepen the canal to 14 meters. They believe there are no valid arguments to oppose it, as it aligns with the Treaty of the Río de la Plata and its Maritime Front, which aims to promote regional navigation.

Source: PortalPortuario, translated by the DatamarNews team.

To read the original text, please visit: https://portalportuario.cl/uruguay-gestiona-con-argentina-aval-para-dragar-canal-de-acceso-al-puerto-de-montevideo/

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