Colonia Express to launch Carmelo-Buenos Aires fluvial route

Colonia Express will launch a new fluvial route between Carmelo and Buenos Aires starting Thursday, November 19. The service, named Carmelo Express, will operate five days a week from Thursday to Monday using the Deltacat catamaran, which has a capacity of 125 passengers.

Scheduled departures are set for 09:00 from Buenos Aires and 16:30 from Carmelo. The company intends to expand the service to daily trips in a later stage. The route is designed to include tourist excursions to local hotels, wineries, and restaurants, specifically targeting high-income travelers from the northern area of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area.

The launch follows a two-year dispute regarding the use of the Carmelo terminal. While the National Port Administration (ANP) initially favored a $3 million renovation proposal from Buquebus, that company failed to meet construction deadlines and eventually withdrew. Colonia Express had previously proposed a $300,000 investment plan. The ANP is currently conducting refurbishment works at the passenger terminal to prepare for the new service.