Successful Completion of Dredging Project at Santa Fe Port Access Channel Boosts Argentine Foreign Trade

In a groundbreaking announcement for Argentine foreign trade, the South American Dredging Company celebrated the successful conclusion of dredging operations at the Santa Fe Port access channel. This project, covering an extensive 7.3-kilometer stretch, has had a significant impact on the navigability of the area and the country's economy.

Essential Dredging for Foreign Trade

The access channel to the Santa Fe Port, spanning from kilometer 586 to kilometer 589 of the Trunk Navigable Waterway (TNW), is a vital artery for Argentine foreign trade. With approximately 80% of national exports passing through this route, its maintenance is crucial to ensure the smooth flow of commercial operations. This project marks the fourth consecutive year that the South American Dredging Company has been selected to carry out these critical tasks.

Since the last dredging work in 2022, the area had experienced a loss of depth, affecting the capacity of port terminals to receive and dispatch goods. Bathymetric studies conducted by the Faculty of Engineering and Hydrological Sciences at UNL emphasized the urgent need to improve the operating conditions of these terminals.

Cutting-Edge Technology in Action

The South American Dredging Company employed its most modern and technologically advanced vessel, the suction dredger Afonso de Albuquerque, to carry out this project. This dredger, the first in the world to comply with international environmental standards Euro V, is designed for the removal and cleaning of soft and loose soils.

The vessel has a length of 89.3 meters, a beam of 22 meters, and a capacity of 3500 cubic meters, allowing it to reach depths of up to 27.6 meters. Moreover, it features a gas filtration system that reduces 99% of residual combustion particles, demonstrating the company's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Boosting the Competitiveness of Santa Fe Port

The successful completion of this dredging project is an achievement that not only benefits the Santa Fe Port but also enhances the competitiveness of Argentine foreign trade. Due to its strategic location, the Santa Fe Port has the potential to become the primary cargo transfer station on the Paraná-Paraguay Trunk Navigable Waterway, which will strengthen agro-exportation and improve connectivity with neighboring countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

A Company Committed to Innovation and Sustainability

The South American Dredging Company, of Belgian origin, is renowned for its values of innovation, expertise, and sustainability. Globally, it operates in over 150 countries, offering specialized services in maritime infrastructure, dredging, civil engineering, and environmental preservation. In Argentina, the company employs 500 professionals and plays a crucial role in enhancing the country's port infrastructure.

In addition to its maritime dredging and construction activities, the company also provides specialized services for the offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy markets, making it a comprehensive actor in the economic and sustainable development of the region.