Almost 70,000 tons of products were blocked by Yacyretá so far this month

Asunción, IP Agency.- The navigation lock of the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Power Plant (CHY) registered the passage of 68,990 tons of soybeans (59,482 tons) and fertilizers (9,508 tons) during the month of April of this year, according to reports from the dam. Technical Department.

The report indicates that the number of maneuvers carried out by the lock was 72, including 117 barges, two vessels, 9 tugboats and 11 locks. In turn, this week, a total of 34 barges loaded with soybeans transited, with a total of 59,492 Tn.

The sluicing work was favored by the slight increase in the flow of the Paraná River, specifically in the area of ​​the Yacyretá dam, thanks to the recent rains.

It should be noted that the CHY navigation lock plays a crucial role in the implementation of Paraguay’s foreign trade, fundamentally given the geographical Mediterranean conditions that characterize it.

This makes it possible for national products, particularly grains, to reach overseas ports to go to their export destinations. At the same time, it allows the circulation of imported goods, all for a much lower cost than land transportation.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the operation of the system is absolutely free for its users.

Background

The navigation lock was inaugurated on June 1, 1993. Located in Rincón Santa María, on the left bank of the Main Arm, it is a concrete structure that makes it possible to bridge the 23-meter gap created by the Reservoir, between its head level and the restitution of the river downstream of the work. It allows a train of barges to move from downstream to upstream or vice versa in a locking time of around 40 minutes.

The barges (generally 12m x 60m) are propelled by a powerful tugboat, which can propel convoys of several barges; a train of 6 (3 x 2) barges is usually accommodated in the lock in a single up or down.

The navigation lock operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at the simple request of the vessel lock. It constitutes an important factor in river trade in the region, reaching average annual values ​​of 3,500,000 tons of products exchanged in both directions of circulation through it.