(Updated 7th August 2026 10:00 LT)
As of 1st August 2026, the Argentine pilots had reportedly halted services in response to Decree 690/26, which deregulates pilotage on Argentina’s rivers, ports, ocean and inland waters. The situation affected pilotage operations at all Argentine ports. At least 140 vessels intended to sail within the River Plate / Parana Rivers were affected by 3 August 2026, according to Centro Navegacion (Ship’s Agents Chamber) – other vessels were affected in the maritime and insular littoral.
On 4th August 2026 PM, the Authorities and the Chambers of Pilots Association have agreed the following:
- Suspend the Decree 690/2026
- Reactivate all pilotage services
- Create a public-private commission to work on the Pilotage Regulation, formed bu the Ministry of Security (Ministerio de Seguridad), Argentine Coast Guards (Prefectura Naval Argentina) and the Navigation and Ports National Agency (Agencia Nacional de Puertos y Navegación) ; and Chambers of Pilots Associations
- The Pilots undertook to reduce their current fees by 20%
On 6th August 2026, Decree 716/2026 was published in Argentine Official Gazette, under which:
1. Decree 690/2026 was suspended. During the suspension, the previous regulations will remain in force; and
2. A Working Group has been created to review the Pilotage Regulation, comprising the Ministry of Security, Argentine Coast Guards (PNA), the National Agency of Ports and Navigation (ANPyN); and the Chamber of Pilots.
In turn, on 7th August 2026, Resolution 46/2026 Agencia Nacional de Puertos y Navegacion (ANPyN) was published, imposing the reduction of 20% on the Pilots fees, according to the Pilots’ Tariff Regime.
Pilotage services have normalised and the pilotage regime shall continue without changes (except for the 20% reduction), until a new regulation is issued.
