Mandatory OSRO Certificate for Ships and Convoys Transiting the Main Navigable Waterway

This is to inform all stakeholders that, under Disposition 23/24 published in today’s Official Gazette, the Subsecretariat of Ports and Navigable Waterways of Argentina has established the mandatory requirement for an OSRO (Oil Spill Response Organization) coverage certificate for all ships and barge convoys, regardless of type or cargo, transiting the Main Navigable Waterway.

The certificate must be issued by a nationally recognized company authorized by the Argentine Naval Prefecture under Maritime Category A.1, in accordance with Ordinance 5/99. This requirement is in addition to other regulations aimed at preventing environmental damage in port areas issued by the relevant authorities.

Both shipowners and Maritime Agents representing ships or barge convoys are jointly responsible to the State-Owned General Ports Administration (AGP SE) for ensuring compliance with this new regulation.

Certificates must be submitted and approved through the procedure established by the AGP SE within 15 days of the publication of this disposition. Should there be any failure to provide or prove the certificate, the AGP SE will obtain the OSRO coverage on behalf of the ships or barge convoys, with the cost being reclaimed from the non-compliant party at up to three times the value of the certification.

This regulation will come into effect 30 days after its publication.

For more information, check the official web site,