Port Rate Implemented: Necochea Demands Payment for Road Damage

The municipality of Necochea is pressing forward with its demand that port terminals register and pay a “solidarity rate,” officially termed the “differentiated maintenance of the road network” fee. This levy, commonly known as the port rate, is intended to offset the wear and tear on local roads caused by heavy truck traffic associated with port operations.

Targeting Quequén: Focus on export-Related Traffic

The registration requirement specifically targets cargo terminals operating within Puerto Quequén that export goods transported via the district’s internal streets, notably those in Quequén. The municipality argues that these terminals directly benefit from the local infrastructure and should contribute to its upkeep.

Municipality Threatens Legal Action Amid Terminal Resistance

Frustrated by the lack of compliance, the Necochea Municipality has initiated enforcement measures, warning of potential legal action against non-compliant terminals. though, the port terminals have responded with an administrative appeal, contesting their responsibility for the rate.

The port terminals argue they are not responsible for paying the solidarity rate.

Executive Department to Reject Appeal, Endorsing the Solidarity Rate

The Executive department is currently reviewing the appeal but is expected to reject it, reaffirming the validity of the solidarity rate as outlined in the 2025 tax fiscal ordinance. This decision would pave the way for the municipality to proceed with collecting the fee.

Key Port Terminals affected

The companies facing these demands include:

• Sitio 0 of Quequén Sa
• TERMINALS AND SERVICE SA
• Pier Doce SA
• Terminal fertilizers sa
• Permal Quequén SA
• Asociation of Argentine Cooperatives COOP. LTDA.

Compliance Deadlines and Potential Penalties

Following the publication of regulations in February in both the Official Municipal Bulletin and the Official Gazette of the Province of Buenos Aires, port terminals were given a deadline in early March to register and submit sworn statements detailing their previous month’s export volumes. Failure to comply coudl result in penalties, including a doubling of the rate and an ex officio determination of the amount owed by the tax prosecutor.

Designated Truck Routes and Infrastructure Impact

to facilitate the process, the Municipality of Necochea established designated truck routes to and from the port terminals, aiming to pinpoint the areas most affected by heavy vehicle traffic. This initiative underscores the municipality’s focus on addressing the specific infrastructure damage caused by port-related transportation.

Quantifying the Impact: Truck Traffic and Cargo Volume

In 2024, Puerto Quequén handled 7,770,387 tons of cargo, requiring over 200,000 truck trips to transport grains and oilseeds from storage facilities to the port terminals. This figure excludes transshipment operations and other truck movements within the city, highlighting the critically importent strain on local roads.

Justification for the Rate: Fair Contribution to Infrastructure

The municipality contends that the exporting companies benefit from the services it provides and should contribute to maintaining the road infrastructure used to transport their goods. This “solidarity rate” aims to ensure that these companies share the burden of road maintenance, rather than placing it solely on local residents.

Broader Context: Infrastructure Funding and Port Advancement

the dispute in Necochea reflects a broader challenge faced by port cities worldwide: balancing economic development with the need to maintain and upgrade infrastructure. As global trade continues to grow, ports are under increasing pressure to handle larger volumes of cargo, leading to increased truck traffic and greater strain on local roads. Innovative funding mechanisms, such as the “solidarity rate” proposed by Necochea, are becoming increasingly crucial for ensuring that port cities can meet these challenges.

What is seeking to be able to compensate for the deterioration that leaves the passage of production and thus maintain the road infrastructure of Necochea and Quequén.