A public hearing was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Resolution No. 625/2022, which establishes a toll rate for the international transit of cargo vessels in the section of the Paraná River between the Port of Santa Fe (Km. 584 of the Paraná River) and the Confluence with the Paraguay River (Km. 1,238 of the Paraná River).
This resolution was issued on September 30. With this, the neighboring country takes another step towards the implementation of the collection of a toll of US$ 1.47 for navigation per net registered ton for foreign vessels with the Argentine flag. While the toll for Argentine vessels will be 1.47 pesos (US$0.01).
PERSPECTIVE
Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, former national chancellor, said that there is a dialogue between the authorities of Argentina and Paraguay on the subject. He affirmed that the framework that regulates this fluvial transport agreement through the Paraná – Paraguay Waterway establishes free navigation between the port of Cáceres and the port of Nueva Palmira.
“The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the navigation of fluvial transport along the entire length of the waterway. And obviously, the fourth and fifth articles of this international agreement, the countries recognize the freedom of navigation for vessels that have their flags, without prior agreement, no tax, lien, right or tribute may be established by these countries on the transport, nor to the vessels or their cargoes,” he said.
He argued that only one of the articles establishes the collection of taxes for the services provided. This is article 9.
“Paraguay has all the legal and regulatory framework that allows it to claim the application of these instruments to defend rights if there are no services effectively provided,” he emphasized.
