Paraguay River Waterway should be granted to the private sector in 2027

The Federal Government is advancing in the structuring of what could become a milestone for national logistics: the first waterway concession in the history of Brazil. The Paraguay River Waterway project, considered strategic for the flow of cargo from the Center-West, is scheduled for auction in 2027, according to the Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca.

The statement was made during participation in the Bom Dia, Minister program of the Brazilian Communications Company (EBC), when the minister detailed the initiative’s timeline and highlighted the importance of the waterway for the country’s economic and logistical development. The government’s expectation is to publish the notice in 2026, although some regulatory and legislative steps may cause adjustments to the planned calendar.

The project covers a stretch of approximately 600 kilometers between Corumbá (MS) and the mouth of the Apa River, in Porto Murtinho (MS), in addition to strategic connections involving Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. The concession will have an estimated term of 15 years and foresees investments of more than R$63 million in the first five years of operation. The resources will be allocated mainly to dredging, signaling, marking and operational improvements that guarantee safety and permanent navigability of the waterway.

According to estimates from the Ministry of Ports and Airports, initial movement should reach around 9 million tons per year, and could reach up to 15 million tons throughout the concession period. The waterway plays a fundamental role in the transport of grains, fertilizers, fuels and ores, especially to the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, strengthening logistical integration with international markets.

The concession is part of a broader government strategy to expand the participation of waterways in the Brazilian transport matrix. Currently, only a small portion of national cargo is moved by rivers, despite the enormous waterway potential in the country. The objective is to increase logistical efficiency, reduce transport costs and increase the competitiveness of Brazilian exports.

The project schedule has undergone recent adjustments. Initially scheduled to take place in 2026, the auction was rescheduled for the first half of 2027 due to regulatory and environmental issues and the need for institutional alignment between the countries involved. The government, however, remains committed to advancing the studies and publishing the notice as soon as possible.

The sector’s expectation is that the future concession will represent a watershed moment for Brazilian waterway transport, paving the way for new projects on rivers such as Madeira, Tapajós, Tocantins and São Francisco, expanding integration between ports, railways, highways and waterways throughout the national territory.

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