They Promote the Navigability of the Río Negro to Solve Vaca Muerta’s Logistics Challenges – Bariloche Económicas | 08/05/26

The Interjurisdictional Basin Authority (AIC) and the Federal Investment Council (CFI) are promoting a study concluding that the Río Negro could become navigable again and serve as a strategic logistics corridor for Vaca Muerta, aiming to reduce the high costs and heavy road impact associated with transporting fracking sand from Entre Ríos to Neuquén. The project’s first two reports delivered positive results and analyze a river corridor between Arroyito and Viedma, with potential maritime connectivity, in a context where more than 80% of the sand used in the shale formation is currently transported by truck —between 3,500 and 3,800 trucks daily— at a cost of US$185 per ton, while barge transport could reduce costs to around US$46 per ton and replace up to 80 trucks per vessel. The plan also includes a railway connection between Cipolletti and Añelo to consolidate a multimodal system designed both to supply Vaca Muerta and to export Alto Valle products to international markets. However, the study identified technical challenges such as permanent dredging, curve rectification, construction of intermediate ports, and clearance limitations under the Valle Azul bridge, leading project leaders to stress the need for sustained political support and long-term investment to make the initiative viable. Link to Article