Posted on June 22, 2026
For the next 25 years, Jan De Nul will be responsible for deepening, modernising and maintaining Argentina’s main waterway under a concession agreement that allows the company to collect toll fees from passing vessels. The company has maintained the Paraná River since 1995 and sees this new contract as a strong vote of confidence.
The concession for the 1,400-km-long Paraná River forms part of the Hidrovía Paraguay–Paraná, an inland waterway system connecting the Paraguay and Paraná rivers. This waterway enables large-scale cargo transport between inland regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina to ports on the Atlantic Ocean. 75 to 80% of Argentina’s agricultural exports, particularly soybeans, corn and wheat, are transported via this waterway.
Access for larger vessels
During the first years of the concession, Jan De Nul will deepen the navigation channel. This will allow larger vessels to access inland ports, improve logistics efficiency, reduce transport costs, and support export growth.
Modernisation of navigation and monitoring
Beyond dredging, the concession includes a comprehensive modernisation of navigation and monitoring infrastructure, including the replacement and maintenance of 1,150 navigation buoys and updating the existing system to monitor variables like water level, volume and speed. The concession will remain in effect for 25 years.
Start of the works in August 2026
The maintenance works under this concession are scheduled to commence in August 2026, with key development phases, such as deepening of the channel, expected to be completed by 2031.
