The Magdalena River, the country’s main freshwater affluent, was the most important fluvial route for passengers and cargo until the early twentieth century, when land transport monopolized the domestic market and the water frontier was diminished by sedimentation, coupled with the culture of felling, burning and hoeing. From that moment on, the most important river in the country would never see steam ships passing through its waters, which boosted the economy and tourism in the regions. Nowadays, its calm waters can only be navigated by small boats and boats, leaving its ports without the buoyant economy that they knew a hundred years ago.
Aware of the abandonment that the Magdalena River has suffered, the national governments in recent years have taken up the projects that aim to restore navigability and the route to the river. This is how on October 31, 2019, the National Infrastructure Agency published the notice of invitation to prequalify for the granting of a concession under the scheme of Public Private Association , through which the concessionaire must carry out, at its own risk, the tasks of design, construction, financing, operation, conservation, maintenance and reversion of assets to the Nation, to guarantee the navigability of the Magdalena River between Barrancabermeja and Bocas de Ceniza, through the implementation of channeling works, dredging, monitoring and signaling activities of the navigable canal.
With this type of project, the national government seeks to generate sources of development, in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, specifically the creation of sustainable cities and communities, the creation of alternative means of transport, innovative and protective of the environment, and the care and preservation of underwater life and terrestrial ecosystems. The Magdalena River navigability project aims to achieve a balance between environmental, economic and social sustainability; seeks to revitalize and reactivate the economy while revitalizing the communities surrounding the river.
Those interested in participating in this prequalification must submit a statement of interest in the terms and conditions provided by the National Infrastructure Agency – ANI -, no later than next May 5, 2020 at 10:00 am , in the auditorium of the entity.
The key data:
Requirements
The dates to take into account:
