The ship "Don Toyo", the largest of the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway with a capacity to transport 906 containers, is preparing to connect the ports of Asunción, Villeta, and Mariano Alonso with Buenos Aires. The company in charge of this vessel, Transporte Fluvial Paraguayo, has confirmed that the "Don Toyo" itinerary will include stops at Argentine ports, excluding Montevideo.
Measuring 120 meters long and 30 meters wide, the "Don Toyo" will make its inaugural journey in April from Paraguay to the Port of Buenos Aires. The construction of this vessel involved industrial supplies from Argentina and the incorporation of high-quality cabotage technology.
The Paraguay-Paraná Waterway is a crucial route for Argentine exports, as it connects the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, allowing for the river transport of goods between several countries in the region. With a draft of 10 feet, the "Don Toyo" will operate efficiently in both riverways.
This decision to use the "Don Toyo" on the Waterway has generated tensions between the Government, the opposition, and entrepreneurs in the agro-export sector, who emphasize the importance of modernizing and deepening the navigable route to improve competitiveness. Approximately 80% of Argentina's exports, primarily grains and their derivatives, are transported via the Waterway.
The Toyotoshi Group owns the "Don Toyo", built in the Aguapé shipyard in Paraguay and launched into the river on December 18, 2024. With a crew of 12, this vessel has attracted the interest of maritime authorities as they observe a shift towards the preference for the Port of Buenos Aires instead of Montevideo by Paraguayan exporters.
The Paraguay-Paraná Waterway, with over 3,400 kilometers of travel, facilitates the efficient transportation of goods in the region. Recently, this route has been in the headlines due to the failure of the bidding process to concession its maintenance and operation to a private operator for 30 years. After canceling the award process due to a lack of bids, the Government is assessing the next steps to ensure the optimal functioning of the Waterway.
