The Belgian hydraulic engineering specialist Jan De Nul is to dredge, modernise and maintain the Paraná waterway in Argentina over the next 25 years. Work is due to begin in August.
Jan De Nul has been awarded a new concession for the Paraná Waterway in Argentina. The company is to dredge, modernise and maintain the 1,400 km stretch over the next 25 years. The agreement also stipulates that Jan De Nul may levy tolls on passing vessels.
According to the company, Jan De Nul has been responsible for the maintenance of the Paraná since 1995. The river forms part of the Paraguay–Paraná Waterway, an inland waterway system linking the Paraguay and Paraná rivers. The waterway connects inland regions in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina with seaports on the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the company, 75 to 80% of Argentina’s agricultural exports pass through this waterway, including, in particular, soya beans, maize and wheat. The efficiency of the infrastructure is therefore regarded as a key factor in the region’s international competitiveness.
In the first few years of the concession, Jan De Nul is to deepen the navigation channel. This should enable larger vessels to reach the inland ports. The aim is to make logistics more efficient, reduce transport costs and support export growth.
In addition to the dredging work, the concession also covers the modernisation of the navigation and monitoring infrastructure. This includes the replacement and maintenance of 1,150 navigation marks, as well as an update to the existing system for monitoring parameters such as water level, water volume and current velocity.
“The re-award of this concession is a milestone for us,” explains Christophe Wante, Area Manager for Dredging Solutions at Jan De Nul. He says it is a testament to the company’s technical expertise, reliability and long-term commitment.
Maintenance work under the concession is scheduled to begin in August 2026. Key development phases, including the deepening of the navigation channel, are due to be completed by 2031.
