Since 2009, Terminales y Logística Portuarias has been storing and distributing vegetable oil, petroleum products and other fuels throughout Paraguay via land and, increasingly, water.
Interview with Carlos Morínigo, Director of Terminales y Logística Portuaria (TLP)
Leading Edge (LE): How important are waterways to the region and the international market?
Carlos Morínigo (CM): Paraguay has the world’s thirdlargest river fleet. This makes us a country with very strong potential for trade using water transportation. Our success is down to the commitment that has been made by business leaders in the sector.
LE: How did the bid to improve and develop the sector begin?
CM: We started the process to establish and develop waterway trade 20 years ago. And in the last ten years we’ve been able to see how the work developed in the past is producing very significant results for the sector and for the country in general. This establishment and development has seen the water trade sector achieve a certain level of independence inits management.
LE: What impact do you think the logistics sector has made on the nation?
CM: The sector requires and generates a large workforce, and this creation of labour gives us a certain autonomy to handle our own export products with very competitive costs to trade with the world. The transport network, with ports and terminals, gives us sufficient operational capacity to meet the growing needs of all sectors, giving private companies the ability to continue investing. Today, 98% of the country’s trade is made through private ports and terminals.
LE: How do you think the country’s infrastructure has improved?
CM: We believe that Paraguay is positioning itself very well in the current international context, promoting commercial development. Personally, I think that much has been done in recent years in terms of infrastructure, but there is still a lot to do if we want to continue to meet the demands of the international market.
“The world sees us as a country that can produce and export with highly advantageous business costs from an ideal location in the heart of South America.”
LE: How did TLP begin?
CM: We started in the field of transport and logistics with the exportation of vegetable oils to the largest multinationals in the sector. Later, we expanded our area of activity to include inland waterway transport logistics, storage and the dispatch of petroleum products. Finally, we began operating as importers and formulators of all types of fuels marketed in the country. Our plant handles approximately 40,000m3 per month of petroleum imports and 6,000 tonnes per month of vegetable oil exports.
LE: How do you see Paraguay’s position on an international level?
CM: There are many examples that demonstrate the growth the country is experiencing. Today, many Brazilian companies are choosing to set up here in Paraguay, given the favourable conditions for production and for exportation. The world sees us as a country that can produce and export with highly advantageous business costs from an ideal location in the heart of South America.
“Today, 98% of the country’s trade is made through private ports and terminals.”
LE: What are the social responsibility measures taken by your company?
CM: We carry out a social assistance project every year. I can mention, for example, the support provided to the Colegio Técnico Departamental Municipal of Villeta for the construction of its laboratory, the supply of computer equipment to the Tebicuary School, and the provision of supplies to the Villeta Fire Brigade.
