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• 3 min de lectura
The Port of Montevideo managed to secure USD 113.5 million in three private investment contracts signed so far in 2026. The economic agreements include a liquid bulk terminal, a floating dry dock for naval repairs, and a specialized krill storage facility, as highlighted by Pablo Genta, president of Uruguay's National Port Administration (ANP).
The figure was reported during the commemoration of ANP's 110th anniversary, where Genta emphasized the progress of his administration and outlined strategic priorities to consolidate the country as a regional logistics hub. The head of the state-owned entity stressed the need to modernize the institutional structure, restore career paths, improve competitiveness, and ensure the continuity of port services.
Furthermore, the president of the entity's board reported that the organization is undergoing a restructuring process with the support of the National Civil Service Office and the Office of Planning and Budget, aimed at implementing a new organizational chart and reformulating career paths under criteria of transparency and technical rigor.
In parallel, Genta highlighted ongoing negotiations with the union to modify the agreement for personnel on dredgers, with the objective of linking extraordinary salary payments to the effective execution of dredging works.
Likewise, one of the central points was the regional projection of the Uruguayan port platform. The ANP president emphasized that Uruguay's consolidation as a regional distribution center depends on its capacity to attract cargo from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
In this context, Genta mentioned the new demands of the Mercosur-European Union trade agreement and called for agreements that ensure predictability and continuity of port operations during union mobilizations, while strictly respecting union rights and freedoms. The executive argued that disruptions compromise the country's image and jeopardize the fluidity of the logistics chain.
"Interruptions to port services generate delays, distortions, and additional costs that affect the entire chain and compromise the country's competitiveness. Eventually, they can also lead to the cancellation of calls and even the loss of services and connectivity.
We believe it is urgent to move towards agreements that ensure the continuity of port services when union actions are taken. Therefore, I propose to you, as a port community, to work together to move in that direction," affirmed the ANP president.
Economic and Commercial Results
Regarding economic and commercial performance, the executive reported a positive result of USD 57 million in 2025, 32% higher than the previous year. This growth was achieved despite the loss of 25% of transshipment containers originating from Paraguay.
Meanwhile, in 2025, passenger movement grew by 5%, bulk cargo in Montevideo increased by 29%, in Nueva Palmira the increase was 8%, and iron ore reached a historical record of 2.9 million tons.
Genta highlighted the consolidation of the Port of Nueva Palmira as a logistics hub for the Hidrovía, with a total volume of 6.9 million tons of iron ore across all terminals.
The head of the state-owned entity also stressed that the 2025 results "are even more valuable considering that in the first year of this new administration, we reversed the previous trend and managed to increase investments and reduce expenses relative to revenues."
Regarding the evolution of commercial items in 2026, the trend continued between January and May with a 9% increase in TEU, 7% growth in passenger movement in Montevideo and Colonia, iron ore tripled (1.4 million tons), and a record was registered in the arrival of motor vehicles. For its part, in the first quarter of this year, bulk cargo in Montevideo grew by 27%.
