Paraguay receives powerful dredge from Japan amid Crown Prince's visit

Paraguay has officially received a significant donation from Japan: the DRM-5 "Paraguay" dredge. The handover ceremony coincided with the official visit of Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, celebrating the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Paraguay.

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The river is our path to the world.

President Santiago Peña expressed gratitude for the long-standing friendship and cooperation with Japan. He emphasized that the dredge will enhance the safety and reliability of the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, a vital artery for the landlocked nation's foreign trade. "The river is our path to the world," Peña stated, highlighting the waterway's importance for market access and competitiveness.

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river transport constitutes a strategic means of communication for Paraguay. It allows the movement of large volumes of cargo at lower costs.

The Japanese Ambassador to Paraguay, Katsumi Itagaki, noted that river transport is a strategic communication method for Paraguay, enabling the movement of large cargo volumes at lower costs. He added that incorporating advanced digital and technological information will ensure safer navigation. The head of the National Directorate of Navigation and Ports (ANNP), Julio César Vera, confirmed the dredge's critical role in maintaining the navigability of the Paraguay River, thereby increasing operational capacity and alleviating critical bottlenecks.

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The waterway is one of the main outlets and entrances for our foreign trade. It will thus increase our operational capacity and the clearing of critical passages.