On this day in 1961, President Arturo Frondizi launched a plan to renew merchant ships through decree No. 7,992. The regulation focused on increasing the number of units and promoting the development of other dependent industries, such as iron and steel. It also strengthened the role of the State in maritime trade, aligning itself with the industrial development policies of the time.
This measure marked a turning point in the naval industry of our country. Thanks to national shipyards, such as Río Santiago and the workshops of the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, the number of ships in the merchant and war fleets was significantly increased. This work, started in 1934 with the construction of ships for the Navy, positioned Argentina as a benchmark on the continent.
Furthermore, the creation of the Argentine Maritime Lines Company (ELMA) and other organizations, such as the State Shipyards and Naval Factories (AFNE), consolidated the national productive capacity.
In commemoration of the decree promoted by Frondizi, and responding to the initiative of the Argentine Naval Industry Federation, the National Executive Branch declared September 12 as “Naval Industry Day”.
The Esteverena Plan: a decisive boost
Under the presidency of Rear Admiral Horacio Esteverena, ELMA played a decisive role in the 1960s. The Navy officer was in charge of outlining a two-phase plan: the first, to be developed between 1961 and 1964, envisaged the ordering of ships from abroad. The second, to be carried out between 1965 and 1970, aimed to manufacture new units exclusively in national shipyards.
This plan, named after its promoter, contributed significantly to laying the political foundations for the growth of the naval industry in our country.
Under Esteverena’s leadership, ELMA reached 58 units in 1961, marking a milestone in the history of Argentine maritime transport due to its long-term strategic vision for the development of the sector.
Impact and legacy
Over the following decades, the Argentine naval industry faced numerous challenges and ups and downs. However, the spirit of strengthening the sector, embodied in decree No. 7,992, persisted as an ideal to be achieved.
In a global context of constant change, having a robust and competitive naval industry will be essential to consolidate the sustained growth of our country.
Currently, the Argentine Navy continues to promote projects that involve the modernization and construction of units in the country, seeking to maintain adequate readiness levels to fulfill its primary mission and secondary tasks.
In recent years, the launching of different units stands out, including the hydrographic boat ARA “Petrel”, manufactured by the Tandanor shipyard, for hydrographic surveying of the Río de la Plata and the Argentine Sea.
Also noteworthy are the new Cadet Training Boats (LICA), built in Río Santiago, with the aim of training cadets in the latest navigation technologies and techniques.
For its part, the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, with its dry docks and specialized workshops, plays a key role in the repair of ships, both from the Argentine Navy and the Merchant Navy. In this sense, the renovation of the floating gate for dock No. 2 of the Puerto Belgrano Naval Arsenal, significantly expanded its capabilities, facilitating its operation with larger ships.
