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Grain Truckers’ Blockades Cripple Southern Argentina Ports as Talks Collapse

Stalled talks over freight rates are pushing ships to other ports.

Overview

  • Security reinforcements at Bahía Blanca, which began Monday, aim to keep port access open and protect drivers returning to work.
  • A provincial negotiating round in La Plata failed Tuesday, with shippers holding near a 14% hike and truckers seeking roughly 30% to 35%.
  • Export groups report stalled operations at Bahía Blanca, Necochea and Quequén, with about US$100 million in export value at risk since the protests began.
  • Industry leaders say at least eight vessels left without completing loads or were diverted to Brazil, raising penalties and schedule disruptions.
  • The national government no longer sets a reference freight rate, leaving talks to private parties and provinces as fuel price jumps of about 25% to 30% drive haulers’ cost claims.