Cross-Border Travel Snag: Port Dispute Derails New Montevideo–Buenos Aires Ferries
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Travellers hoping to journey from Uruguay to Argentina during the upcoming spring season are facing uncertainty following a conflict that occurred at the Port of Montevideo, which has made plans for a second operator for the direct ferry service to Buenos Aires unachievable. The conflict revolves around access to a vehicle-loading pontoon at the Maciel port. Colonia Express ferry company was authorised by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to run the Montevideo to Buenos Aires service; however, it has failed to start the service due to lack of a vehicle pontoon, since the only available pontoon for vehicle transport belongs to the competing ferry operator, Buquebus. The issue is of great importance for travellers considering the Río de la Plata’s significance as one of the key international shipping routes in the region.
Why the Montevideo Port Dispute Matters
Colonia Express has argued that the pontoon should be made available for shared use. Buquebus, which currently operates the direct Montevideo-Buenos Aires crossing, has opposed that position.
The National Ports Administration has described the issue as a matter between private parties, saying the pontoon is not part of its public infrastructure and that its owner therefore controls its use. Meanwhile, the transport ministry is reviewing the administrative process, with appeals under way.
The disagreement has moved beyond a simple scheduling problem. Colonia Express has indicated that it intends to seek judicial intervention, arguing that the authorities should provide a solution allowing the newly authorised service to operate.
The Vehicle Ramp Is the Critical Bottleneck
The central problem is not the absence of ferry demand or a lack of authorisation.
It is physical access.
The Maciel pier is around 380 metres long and has a reported five-metre draught, but maintenance and dredging issues have also affected its operating capacity. A reconstruction process is being prepared, while a separate private proposal from Buquebus to rebuild and modernise the pier has already been declared of interest by the National Ports Administration.
That proposed investment has been estimated at between US$66 million and US$100 million, with a concession potentially lasting 50 years. The arrangement adds another layer to an already sensitive dispute over how the port should accommodate competing ferry operators.
A Busy Cross-River Travel Market
The scale of existing demand explains why the dispute has attracted attention.
More than 500,000 passengers and 57,000 vehicles crossed the Río de la Plata on the relevant route between January and July, according to figures reported by MercoPress. Buquebus also recorded an increase in boarding and disembarking movements compared with the same period a year earlier.
For travellers, another operator could potentially bring greater choice, additional sailing options and more capacity for vehicles.
But those benefits remain dependent on the port dispute being resolved.
Colonia Express Still Offers an Alternative Route
Travellers should not interpret the dispute as a shutdown of ferry travel between Uruguay and Argentina.
Colonia Express continues to operate services between Buenos Aires and Colonia del Sacramento, with onward bus connections to Montevideo. Its published September and October 2026 timetable lists five daily Buenos Aires-Colonia sailings and five daily Colonia-Buenos Aires sailings. The company also lists combined Buenos Aires-Montevideo journeys taking around 3 hours 30 minutes.
This makes Colonia del Sacramento the practical alternative for travellers who need to cross between the two countries while the direct Montevideo service remains unresolved.
For visitors staying in Montevideo, the onward connection adds time but keeps the popular Argentina-Uruguay travel corridor open.
Spring Travel Could Increase Pressure
September marks the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere, while October and November typically bring stronger leisure demand across Uruguay and Argentina.
Montevideo is a gateway for visitors exploring Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, historic Colonia del Sacramento and wine regions, while Buenos Aires remains one of South America’s major city-break destinations.
The timing therefore makes additional ferry capacity particularly valuable.
Yet travellers should distinguish between authorisation to operate and an actual operating service. Colonia Express has received permission for the new direct route, but the physical infrastructure dispute means the service cannot simply begin until the access question is resolved.
Official Link : https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-transporte-obras-publicas
Travellers Should Check Before Booking
It is recommended to consider the operator’s current timetable carefully before booking the trip to Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Currently, according to Colonia Express’s schedule, the Montevideo-Buenos Aires trips run through Colonia by connecting bus instead of direct vehicle ferry service. The Montevideo departure point of Colonia Express is Tres Cruces, while the arrival point in Buenos Aires is Puerto Madero Sur. However, overall transport connections between Uruguay and Argentina are developing. The two governments signed a new air services agreement on 2 September that will liberalise the flights between the countries, proving that bilateral transport connections grow despite the ferry dispute. The current situation of the ferry service on the Río de la Plata looks somewhat paradoxical – the demand is high, there is a second operator authorised to run direct services, the travellers are willing to choose, but one port facility prevents the development of the market.
