Santa Fe to return to private sector

October 2004 has been set as the deadline for bids to operate the container and multi-purpose terminal at Argentinas Santa Fe port.

The 4,300km line would pass via Bolivia, where 380km of missing track would need to be built at a cost of $790m.

A consortium headed by Montevideo terminal operator Montecon has already expressed a strong interest in bidding in partnership with Navigacion Atlantica and Logistica, from Argentina.