The former undersecretary of Transportation and Public Works and current head of the port entity, Pablo Genta confirmed to El País that he will leave the presidency of the National Ports Administration (ANP) to assume a new responsibility within the government: leading the construction of a deep-water ocean port in the department of Rocha. The initiative, which has gained momentum again in recent months, seeks to position Uruguay as a direct outlet to the ocean for the region’s cargo, especially Paraguay y Bolivia.
As reported by the ANP In a statement, Genta will be in charge of the necessary studies to determine the technical, environmental, and engineering and project market. The leader had assumed the presidency of the organization on April 1, 2025, after the renewal of the national authorities.
The project of a deep water port in Rocha was once again installed on the national and regional logistics agenda due to its potential to strengthen integration between Uruguay, Paraguay y Boliviain addition to generating an alternative for the exit of merchandise to international markets.
In October, during an official visit to Paraguay, Genta participated in meetings with the Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Lucia Etcheverryand the interim minister of Foreign Relations, Valeria Csukasiwithin the framework of the reactivation of the Urupabol bloc, made up of the three countries.
In those instances, the Uruguayan government committed to carrying out the necessary studies to evaluate the viability of the deep water port as a platform to mobilize regional cargo. It was also agreed to move forward with the preparation of a memorandum on port cooperation and trinational integration.
This understanding also contemplates the strengthening of the use of Paraguay-Paraná Waterway and carrying out a comprehensive study on the logistics regional, with the aim of improving connectivity and merchandise transportation alternatives.
Archive Photo.
His management at the head of the ANP
Genta is a civil engineer graduated from the University of the Republic and has a postgraduate degree in Transportation Planning and Economics from the National University of Córdoba. In addition, he was undersecretary of Transportation and Public Works between 2010 and 2015.
During his management at the head of the ANP, the organization recorded a positive result of US$ 57 million in fiscal year 2025, which represented an increase of 32% compared to the previous year, as highlighted by the port administration.
Among the main milestones of the period are the digitalization of import procedures through the Single Window for Foreign Trade, the increase of investments in dredging and the recovery of its own fleet.
Likewise, the ANP highlighted a 32% growth in vehicle unloading in Montevideoa 14% increase in passenger traffic and a situation of stability in container movement compared to 2025.
In terms of investments, during 2026 the organization signed private contracts for US$ 113.5 million for the installation of a liquid bulk terminal, a floating dock for naval repairs and a specialized krill deposit in the port of Montevideo.
Another of the advances noted by the ANP was the call for bids to prepare the Port Development Master Plan 2027-2040which must establish a medium and long-term strategy for the national port infrastructure.
Source: www.elpais.com.uy
