We are pleased to inform you that the Argentine Republic has officially ratified the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007). Following up on our previous update regarding its legislative debate, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,812 (as published in the file Ley 28712 Convenio Nairobi 2007. The law was passed on […]

We are pleased to bring you a critical regulatory update regarding maritime operations in Argentina. The National Agency of Ports and Navigation (ANPYN) has officially issued Resolution 36/2026, marking the final approval and awarding of the highly anticipated International Public Tender No. 1/2025. This resolution dictates the long-term management of Argentina’s primary shipping corridor, the […]

It is reported that, although the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007) has not yet been fully ratified by the Argentine Republic, the Parliament has recently accepted its treatment, constituting a significant step towards its future approval and entry into force. The following is an analysis of the Convention’s provisions, assuming its […]

The Paraguayan Naval Prefecture (PGN) has issued Resolution No. 200/25, establishing new maximum permitted draft limits for vessels navigating the Paraguay River. The measure takes immediate effect and was adopted in response to current hydrometric conditions, aiming to ensure safe navigation and environmental protection while maintaining the flow of cargo traffic. According to the new […]

Maritime Security Alert: Critical Update on Bunkering Operations in Rada La Plata  The Argentine Naval Prefecture (PNA) has issued a fundamental regulatory update that directly impacts how fuel transfer (bunkering or coaling) operations must be conducted in the Anchorage and Piloting Wait Zone (ZFyEP) of Rada La Plata.   The New Regulatory Framework: DISFC-2025-1462-APN-LPLA#PNA The […]

The recent Decree 457/2025, published in the Official Gazette of the Argentine Republic on July 8, 2025 , brings significant modifications to Law N° 18.398, which governs the Argentine Naval Prefecture. These updates aim to modernize and align the force’s structure and functions with current maritime security and control realities, directly impacting the regulatory framework […]

Paraguayan Naval Prefecture Updates Permitted Draft on Paraguay River for Navigation Safety The General Naval Prefecture has issued Resolution No. 65/25 to update the permitted draft limits for vessels navigating the Paraguay River. This measure aims to ensure navigation safety and prevent environmental pollution due to recent hydrometric levels. Key points of the resolution include: […]

An important update has been issued by the Paraguayan Naval General Prefecture through Resolution 48/25, which establishes revised draft limits for vessels navigating the Paraguay River. This resolution, effective from March 28, 2025, aims to enhance the safety of river navigation and reduce environmental risks associated with fluctuating water levels in the river. The key […]

A powerful storm that struck Bahía Blanca on March 7th, 2025, has caused significant disruption to port operations, leaving much of the port inoperative as terminal operators assess the extent of the damages. Ing. White Port remains inaccessible, and both the port’s energy supply and communications systems have been severely impacted. As recovery efforts continue, […]

The Argentine government has taken a drastic step in the Hidrovía tender process after a surprising turn of events during the opening of the envelopes. Despite 11 companies showing interest in the bidding process, only Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering (DEME) submitted a formal proposal to secure the concession. This led to the government’s decision […]

Tomorrow, February 12, 2025, the opening of bids for the international tender for the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway will take place. The central focus of this tender is the deepening of the navigable channels of the waterway, with a particular emphasis on the involvement of international companies in fluvial-maritime works. Key Aspects of the Tender: To begin […]

In a significant move, the Argentine government has announced the dissolution of the Administracion General de Puertos (AGP), the agency responsible for managing the Paraná River waterway. This decision comes at a crucial time for the nation, as the Paraná Waterway, stretching over 3,400 kilometers, serves as South America’s primary commercial corridor, essential to regional […]

In a significant move aimed at streamlining regulations and fostering growth in Argentina’s maritime and river industries, the country’s Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, alongside Federico Sturzenegger, the Minister of the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation, and Guillermo Giménez Pérez, General Prefect of the Prefectura Naval Argentina (PNA), announced the introduction of key reforms […]

New Regulation on Environmental Protection in the Main Navigable Waterway Recently, a regulation has been enacted that establishes the requirement for all ships and barge convoys transiting the Main Navigable Waterway to have an OSRO COVERAGE CERTIFICATE (Oil Spill Response Organization). This certificate must be issued by a national company duly authorized by the Argentine […]

After a series of infrastructure projects undertaken on the General Manuel Belgrano Interprovincial Bridge, which connects the provinces of Chaco and Corrientes, in order to secure its pillars and improve navigation in the area, it was decided to eliminate restrictions on the size of convoys that could cross it. Some of the projects included the […]

The Lower Paraná River Coast Guard has temporarily and experimentally established new maximum speed limits in the area between kilometers 406 and 435 of the Parana River. It repeals the previous similar provision (DI-2021-3-APN-PZBP#PNA) and it establishes a maximum speed of 10 knots in downstream navigation and 9 knots upstream for the aforementioned area, with a […]

The Prefecture from the Parana Lower Section, through the provision DISFC-2022-118-APM-PZBP#PNA, established new speed limits between km. 406 and 435 of the Parana River on a transitory and experimental approach. It was established for the beforementioned stretch a speed limit of 10 knots navigating downriver and 9 knots upriver, with a tolerance level of 6%, […]

According to DISFC-2022-6-APN-ZARA#PNA, issued by the Zarate Prefecture, as an experimental resource, for a period of a hundred and eighty (180) days starting on the 22nd day of the current month, a maximum speed of TEN (10) knots has been permitted for every type of vessel that navigate in between the kilometres 181 and 205 […]

Emitted by: AFIP In virtue of the restrictions to disembark goods in the ports of the Republic of Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Belarus, the exports from our country directed to said countries were forced to modify the country of destination for the goods, having an effect on the export declarations registered […]

Through the DECAD-2021-1090-APN-JGM, published on November 6th, the Chief of Cabinet of Ministers established the following measurements related to crew changes. The crew replacement from international vessels, composed by foreigners, will be able to be executed through a transport different from the one assigned for takeover, only if they have a vaccination certificate given 14 […]

[UPDATED INFORMATION] Since on April of 2018 the National Health and Agrifood Quality Service [SENASA] declared the phytosanitary alert within the whole territory of the Argentine Republic regarding the Lymantria dispar plague (gypsy moth) Asian breed, a plague which had been absent in the country, and since in the world there is a significant increase […]

As we have mentioned on previous newsletters, a speed limit of 9 knots has been established between km 406 and 435 of the Paraná River due to the low water levels that are being registered on it. Since there have been some cases of overspeed, Naval Prefecture, through provision DI-2021-3-APN-PZBP#PNA, has stipulated that said limit […]

Since on April of 2018 the National Health and Agrifood Quality Service [SENASA] declared the phytosanitary alert within the whole territory of the Argentine Republic regarding the Lymantria dispar plague (gypsy moth) Asian breed, a plague which had been absent in the country, and since in the world there is a significant increase in the […]

1. Are there any restrictions on vessels whose previous port call was from COVID-19 high risk countries? Prior to vessel’s arrival, specific documents and information must be submitted to the health authorities in order to obtain free pratique authorization from the Health Authorities. These documents need to be submitted to the Health Authorities 96 hours […]

Due to the low water levels that still affect the Cuenca del Plata and, particularly, the port facilities placed at rivers Paraná Medio, Paraná Inferior y Paraná de las Palmas, Argentine Naval Prefecture suggest paying special attention to the risks that may arise during approaching, docking, and undocking maneuvers and also considering the evolutionary phenomena […]

Regarding our newsletter* of October 30th of 2020 informing about the new speed limit of 9 knots established between Km 406 and 435 of the Paraná River, we have the duty to inform that the Argentine Coast Guard is monitoring the speed of vessels navigating on the mentioned area and they are notifying those who […]

The Argentine Ministry of Transport calls for expression of interest to bid for the public work concession by toll for the modernization, extension, operation and maintenance of the signaling system and dredge and re-dredge tasks and the maintenance of the main waterway between kilometer 1230 of the Paraná River, known as Confluencia, to the Area […]

By Resolution RESOL-2020-861-APN-PRES#SENASA, the National Health and Agrifood Quality Service [SENASA by its Spanish acronym] adds to Resolution No 693/17 the “Supervision procedure of the Control System of Capability of Loading of Holds and Tanks of Vessels and Barges for the export of grains, their products and by-products” and the “Selection of Vessels Procedure.” This […]

Due to the extraordinary ebb that Río Paraná has been experiencing, the Paraná Coast Guard establishes that, due to safety navigation reasons, vessels shall navigate cautiously and reduce speed to the minimum suitable for good government when there are other vessels moored, maneuvering or operating near berths, port terminals or river areas in order to […]

Despite having forbidden –on August 10th, 2020 through Provision DISFC-2020-15-APN-DPMA#PNA– the discharge of washing waters from the scrubbers to waters of national jurisdiction, today the Argentine Directorate for Environmental Protection suspends this restriction. The cause of this suspension is the quarantine established in the country due to the health emergency triggered by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (aka […]

Recently, San Lorenzo Coast Guard has reported that, due to navigation safety and environment protection issues, those vessels that count with left-handed propeller system, from now on, must request the assistance of a tugboat for mooring and undocking maneuvers. Vessels that have left-handed propeller —left-handed fixed pitch propeller or right-handed variable pitch propeller— present an […]

Since the system of discharging washing waters of scrubbers is being studied by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in order to get information about their effects on the environment and avoid an irreversible damage on the marine ecosystem, the Directorate for Environmental Protection of the Argentine Coast Guard, by Provision DISFC-2020-15-APN-DPMA#PNA, forbids the unloading of […]

As a consequence of the unprecedented ebb that continues affecting the Cuenca del Plata and, especially, the navigation of the rivers Paraná Medio, Paraná Inferior, Paraná de las Palmas and Río de la Plata, the Argentinian Coast Guard advises the captains and pilots on the potential risks that the omission of the safety rules established […]

Further to our last Newsletter “COVID-19 ARGENTINA – Protocol for vessels calling Buenos Aires”, the National Ministry of Safety and the National Ministry of Health had recently introduced protocol N° NO-2020-18729360-APN-SSCRYF#MS, which establishes a reinforcement expansion to contingency plans at Argentine international ports in the frame of the epidemiologic situation caused by Coronavirus COVID-19. However, […]

We would like to thank Messrs PILOTage S.A. Climate events with no significant precipitations are causing very low water levels on the rivers that make up the waterway known as “Hidrovia”, many of them falling below their historical minimum levels. Unfortunately, the situation is not expected to get better, at least in the short term. […]

As Argentinian Government maximizes health and safety measures in order to flatten the infection curve of Coronavirus COVID-19, the General Ports Administration has introduced a new protocol regarding cargo vessels and passenger international cruises arriving the Buenos Aires Port. GENERAL PORTS ADMINISTRATION [AGPSE, by its Spanish acronym] IMPLEMENTATION PROTOCOL IN THE AREA OF THE BUENOS […]

On March 30th, National Borders Sanitary Authorities informed that due to the pandemia declared worldwide of the COVID-19, all vessels coming from affected areas shall be sanitized by crew onboard and fumigated by a company duly authorized by the National Health Ministry. All measures adopted on those vessels coming from affected areas shall be registered […]

On March 19th, the National Governement by means of Neccessity and Urgency Decree (DNU for its acronym in Spanish) N° 297/2020 has declared the TOTAL QUARANTINE for every citizen that it is not considered in the “exceptions” group such as Law Enforcement personnel, doctors, nurses, high rank government personnel, etc with the prohibition to circulate […]

On March 19th we have received information that several Upriver Ports announced their preventive closing. This decision follows the closing of national borders which came days after Argentina announced it would halt all flights from the United States and Europe and restrict the entrance of foreigners. Public and private school classes are still suspended until March 31. The […]

Argentina on March 15 announced it was closing its borders to all incoming foreigners for at least two weeks. The ban does not apply to legal permanent residents. The decision to ban most foreigners came days after Argentina announced it would halt all flights from the United States and Europe starting on March 16. Public and […]

Maria Paula Chaves On February 14th, the National Executive Branch has repealed Decree DECTO-2019-591-APN-PTE and Joint Resolution N°3 of November 12th of 2019 (See our Newsletter “Dangerous residues”), regarding the prohibition of transit, entrance and importation either definitive or temporal to the National Territory, Special Customs Area and Customs-Free Areas existing or to be created […]

On November 13th a new Maritime, River and Lake Navigation Regulation [a.k.a. REGINAVE] has been passed under Decree DECTO-2019-770-APN-PTE. On the following paragraphs we will summarize the most significant changes that have been introduced. To begin with, we want to highlight that, according to the new REGINAVE, from now on each fine unit (FU) will […]

New Regulation Forbids its Transit, Entrance and Importation either to the National Territory As per Decree DECTO- 2019-591-APN-PTE it is substituted in its section 1 (among others) which now reads: “It shall be forbidden the transit, entrance and importation either definitive or temporal to the National Territory, Special Customs Area and Customs-Free Areas existing or […]

Nadia Vega Under Decree 188/19, which was published in the Official Gazette, the Argentinian Government has exempted  ships from the pilot requirement during entrance and exit maneuvers in Ports Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca and La Plata and rivers Paraná and Uruguay. To be exempted under the amended pilot regulations, the vessels must fly under the […]

Rough translation: Letter issued by Mr Martin Pablo Ruiz Directo of the Navigation Safety Department. During meetings held with representatives of the Sub Secretary of Ports, Waterways and Merchant Marine and the Ministry of Security, it was analyzed a proposal by the Maritime and Port Activity Chamber of Rosario City which set forth the possibility […]

By Alejandra Moreno The Federal Administration of Public Income (AFIP in its Spanish acronym) has changed the form to submit the Store List and Crew Personal Effects into a clearer, easier and simpler way of submitting this information. As we have informed previously in our Newsletters and our Guidance Papers which are usually distributed to […]

By Tomas De Antoni Argentine Coast Guard has authorized through Order DISFC-2018-93-APN-DPSN#PNA that navigation of vessels with LOA of up to 255 meters carrying containers is authorized up to km 125 of the Paraná River, through Channel Ing. Emilio Mitre. Such authorization is provisional and on trial for the term of one year. The volume […]