Paraguay and Argentina have agreed to extend ship-to-barge fuel transshipment operations at the Km 171 hub on the Parana Guazu River to April 2027, easing near-term supply and logistics concerns for landlocked Paraguay and regional river traders.
The renewed authorization marks the latest step in a dispute that began in mid-2025, when Argentina's customs authorities moved to halt operations at Km 171, saying the area lacked port authorization.
The threatened shutdown quickly became a focal point for Paraguayan importers and shipowners because Km 171 has served for decades as a practical transfer point for fuel cargoes from larger vessels to barges capable of navigating upriver to Paraguayan ports.
Paraguay and Argentina reached a temporary agreement in July 2025 after weeks of uncertainty, extending operations at the site for 10 months. The deadline would expire on May 2026.
That was a temporary measure to prevent disruption while the two sides explored a more durable legal and operational solution, including the establishment of a joint working group to address a long-term agreement.
The extension to April 2027 provides a longer planning window for importers and reduces immediate pressure to reroute volumes to other terminals.
