1. Raúl Escalante HIDROVIA S.A.
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the Paraguay – Paraná Inland Waterway (HPP).
Raúl Escalante
HIDROVIA S.A.
Sebastián García
HIDROVIA S.A.
Smart Rivers Pittsburgh (USA), September 2017

2. Location in South América
Navigable waterway in Paraguay – Paraná – Plata river system
(including upper Paraná & Rosario – Ocean waterway: 4,775 km)
Barges traffic
Sea/River vessels
Overseas traffic
Km 236
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

3. Concessioned Navigable Waterway
Barges traffic
Sea/River vessels
Overseas traffic
Km 236
Km 236
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

4. The problem Rosario is located at more than 600 km from the Ocean
It is the area in Argentina where are located most of the terminals for export of agricultural products with more than 72 Mt
Due to importance for the Argentine economy of these exports all efforts has to be done to keep the grain loaded ships sailing
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

5. Ports and terminals Diamante Port
San Martín – San Lorenzo ports: Timbúes, Terminal 6, Quebracho, Nidera, Tránsito, Dempa/Pampa, Vicentín, San Benito.
Rosario Port: Villa Gob. Gálvez and Servicios Portuarios Units VI y VII.
Punta Alvear
Arroyo Seco Port

6. Anual export through fluvial ports
Año 2016
Type of cargo/Port
Total [ton]
Grains
(San Lorenzo + Rosario + V. Constitución + S. Nicolás + Ramallo + Zárate)
Foodstuff
(San Lorenzo + Rosario + Ramallo + Zárate)
Vegetal oils
(San Lorenzo + Rosario + Ramallo)
Total
Fuente: Subsecretaría de Mercados Agropecuarios

7. ”El Niño” Phenomenon Effects: D Temp
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

8. ”El Niño” Phenomenon Effects: D Temp Rain
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

9. ”El Niño” Phenomenon Effects: D Temp Rain Flood / D Water Levels
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

10. ”El Niño” Phenomenon Effects: D Temp Rain Flood / D Water Levels
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

11. ”El Niño” Phenomenon Effects: D Temp Rain Flood / D Water Levels
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

12. ”El Niño” Phenomenon Effects: D Temp Rain Flood / D Water Levels
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

13. Effects on Navigation
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

14. Effects on Navigation
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

15. Effects on AtoN
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

16. Effects on AtoN
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

17. Effects on AtoN
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

18. Effects on AtoN Lost AtoN facilities: 270 Heeled AtoN facilities: 160
Half submerged facilities: 90
Dragged AtoN facilies:
320
AtoN facilities with water hyacinths :
100
AtoN facilities without superstructure: 40
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

19. Crisis Committee
To take the adequate measures in this event a Crisis Committee was formed
Participants of the Committee were:
The Undersecretariat of Ports and Waterways
Coast Guard (PNA)
Hydrographic Service
Pilots Representatives
The firm in charge of dredging and AtoN maintenance
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

20. Actions on AtoN
It was decided that the most important AtoN to guarantee a safe navigation have to be kept in position permanently
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

21. Actions on dredging
It was decided that needed additional dredging equipment to cope with the increased sedimentation has to be incorporated to the Concession
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

22. Sedimentation at the Emilio Mitre Channel was 50.000 m3/day
Effects on IW Depth
Critical point
Sedimentation at the Emilio Mitre Channel was m3/day
TSHD Capitán Núñez: m3
TSHD Sanderus: m3
TSHD Francesco Di Giorgio: m3
TSHD James Ensor : 3.600m3
TSHD Americo Vespucci: m3
TSDH Niña: m3
TSHD Alvar Nuñez Cabeça de Vaca: m3
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

23. Effects on IW Depth
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

24. Effects on IW Depth
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

25. Effects on IW Depth
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the HPP – R. Escalante / S. García SMART RIVERS 2017

26. Results
The number of bulk carriers loaded with agricultural products in 2015 and 2016 show that the shipping was not altered by the catastrophic El Niño event
There were no interruption of the navigation at any moment
The publicated depth of the waterway was maintained permanently
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

27. Bulk Carriers

28. 2016 2015 Bulk carriers Monthly entered ships between: 134 – 221
Máximun daily entered ships:
15 units
2015
Monthly entered ships between:
98 – 219
Máximun daily entered ships:
17 units

29. Lessons learned
A sistematically long time meteorological and hydrographic forecasting has to be performed to be aware, at least six months in advance, about the probability of extreme flooding events.
Related with AtoN it is mandatory to have enough spare buoys and elements to replace those that are going to be damaged
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

30. Lessons learned
Without taking in consideration additional costs involved, to maintain the publicated depths in times of severe sedimentation additional dredgers has to be added to the work
A strong Crisis Committee in charge of taking adequate measures is essential to cope with the situation.
“SMART RIVERS 2013”

31. Extreme Increase in Water Levels
Extreme Increase in Water Levels. Effects on the Paraguay – Paraná Inland Waterway (HPP).
Thank you for your attention