Argentina loosens regulations on transit along key grains transport river (updated)
24/02/2025 23:30
(Adds context on scrapped maintenance auction in paragraphs
7-8)
BUENOS AIRES, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Argentina loosened
safety regulations on shipments traveling along a key grains
transport river, a move which could boost cargo moved through
the waterway up to 7%, the nation's security minister said on
Monday.
Ships traveling along the Parana-Paraguay waterway will now
be able to carry more cargo, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich
said on X, adding it would make firms more efficient and reduce
costs but without affecting safety.
Argentina is the world's top exporter of soybean oil and
flour, the third-largest exporter of corn and a top wheat
supplier. More than 80% of the nation's agricultural exports are
shipped along the river.
"With clear rules, predictability and firm decisions, we
guarantee a more competitive waterway," Bullrich said.
The Rosario Grains Exchange called the tweak in regulations
"important progress" toward improving efficiency for
agricultural exports.
The nation's ports chamber and grains export chamber did not
immediately respond to requests for comment.
The government has renewed its focus on the waterway in
recent weeks after an auction process for maintenance contracts
of the Parana River was embroiled in scandal and scrapped.
A fresh tender will be launched after a probe into possible
sabotage of the auction is wrapped up. Just one firm, Belgian
dredger DEME Group DEME.BR , bid in the initial round. DEME
said it did not know why others did not compete, though the
government is looking into potential "pressure" by DEME onto its
competitors.
DEME however said that the tender had been biased in favor
of Jan de Nul, the current concession holder.
(Reporting by Maximilian Heath; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing
by Natalia Siniawski and Lincoln Feast.)
((Kylie.Madry@thomsonreuters.com;))