The surprise and unexpected decision of the Agency for Customs Collection and Control of Argentina (ARCA) to suspend The fuel transford at kilometer 171 of the Paraguay-Paraná hydrovy, He unleashed the fury and claim of important sectors of the Paraguayan economy linked to the transport of goods.
From the neighboring country, they call Blocking attempt The change in Argentina of a format that had been implemented since the early 1980s. And press President Santiago Peña to claim his ally Javier Milei.
The powerful maritime and river shipowners guild from Paraguay went to the intersection of Arca’s resolution with a strong statement in which he warns of negative consequences of a measure that they consider “unilateral and arbitrary” and that puts in check the normal fuel supply throughout the country.
Specifically, Arca ordered the suspension for 30 days of transford operations at kilometer 171 of the Paraná Guazú River, arguing that The area lacks port authorization in accordance with the provisions of the National Law of Port Activities No. 24,093. There is the transford of fuel transford between maritime ships and Convoyes de la Hidrovía, most Paraguayan flag, although many companies are of Argentine and Brazilian capitals.
Paraguayan argue that this area has been used uninterruptedly for hydrocarbon trans operations between ships, under approval (Maritime Ordinance No. 4/81) and supervision of the Argentine Naval Prefecture (PNA) and the corresponding customs control and that its operation has been key to guaranteeing an efficient flowinsurance and economical diesel and other fuels to Paraguay and the region.
“This decision, made No prior consultation No impact assessment, threatens to generate a structural shortage of fuels in Paraguay, directly affecting our distributors, shipping companies, and ultimately, the final consumer, ”he told Clarion The president of the center, Bernd Gunther.
The businessman also pointed out that, from the logistical point of view, “the forced transfer of operations to the terminals would imply a Increased more than eight days in replacement times, an extra cost of up to 70% in river logistics, and greater operational and environmental risks ”. The measure was not yet in force, but it was already communicated between parties.
The leader made a “urgent” call to the competent authorities to reverse the measure and the operation is maintained in km 171. “We also urge any future revision to be carried out within the framework of a technical and institutional dialog half-environmental that could exist ”
But it was not CAFYM the only Paraguayan organization that manifested against the measure, the National Chamber of Commerce and Services also complained about the shortage risks that the decision implies and recalled the rights to freely navigate that Paraguay has due to its status as a Mediterranean country.
Until now Governments have not intervened As on other occasions, for example, when the government of Alberto Fernández imposed a dollar toll for foreign flag ships. Then they took letters in the matter both the government of Santiago Peña and Lula da Silva. Both were on Thursday at Argentina at the Mercosur leaders summit.