The Argentine government under President Javier Milei has announced a 63% increase in tolls for vessels using the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway, raising the fee to US$ 4.98 per Net Register Ton (NRT) from the previous US$ 3.06. This adjustment is expected to further rise to US$ 6.04 per NRT by 2027.

The decision has stirred controversy among Paraguayan shipowners who had been pushing for a complete removal of toll charges due to perceived lack of navigational services. However, negotiations with the previous administration led to a stalemate, resulting in the tariff increase.

Additionally, the Paraguayan government has partnered with Transbarge Navegación SA to initiate dredging operations at key points along the waterway to accommodate increased iron shipments from Bolivia and Brazil. This move is projected to triple the waterway’s capacity from 15 million to 40 million tons in the coming years.