The measure aims to modernize and centralize Argentina’s port administration under a new strategic model led by Iñaki Arreseygor.
The Argentine National Government has formalized the dissolution of the General Port Administration (AGP) through Decree 3/2025. This entity had historically managed the Port of Buenos Aires and, more recently, oversaw the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway. Along with the AGP, the Subsecretariat of Ports and Waterways was also dismantled.
In its place, the National Ports and Navigation Agency (ANPYN) has been established, operating under the Ministry of Economy. This new agency will assume exclusive responsibility for the regulation, planning, and supervision of the country’s port and navigation system, consolidating functions previously fragmented across various entities.
The ANPYN will be responsible for implementing key regulations and will play a vital role in the development of Argentina’s foreign trade, strengthening port infrastructure, navigation safety, and efficiency in freight transportation.
Structure and Leadership of ANPYN
The new agency will be led by an Executive Director with the rank of Secretary of State, supported by a Deputy Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary. Both positions will have a four-year term, appointed and removed by the National Executive Power.
The Argentine government has appointed Iñaki Miguel Arreseygor as the Executive Director of ANPYN. Arreseygor, renowned for his career in public administration and his credentials as a Master of Business Administration, will lead the agency with the objective of implementing an efficient and modern port management model.
Objectives and Benefits of the Restructuring
With the creation of ANPYN, the government aims to:
- Centralize port management under a single agency with clear responsibilities and financial autonomy.
- Modernize port infrastructure, crucial for increasing the competitiveness of foreign trade.
- Reduce state bureaucracy by eliminating fragmented functions and optimizing operational resources.
- Promote de-bureaucratization and streamline procedures to foster the development of Argentina’s industrial and commercial sectors.
- Ensure safety and efficiency in navigation, strengthening operations along the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway, a strategic hub for river transportation.
Justification for the Measure
The decree emphasizes that this restructuring addresses the need to streamline the current government plan by optimizing the execution of state functions. Institutional support for this decision came from entities such as the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation and the National Budget Office. Furthermore, the National Congress will evaluate the validity of this emergency decree.
The decree highlights:
“In recent years, the ADMINISTRACIÓN GENERAL DE PUERTOS SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA UNIPERSONAL has significantly increased its administrative structure and workforce relative to its functions and responsibilities. These circumstances impose a significant cost on the NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, as the company relies on Treasury contributions to sustain its operations despite the income generated from concession contracts under its jurisdiction.”
Impact on Foreign Trade and Strategic Development
The consolidation of port management under ANPYN not only seeks to modernize state administration but also aims to enhance the strategic development of Argentina’s foreign trade. With renewed port infrastructure and more efficient processes, the country is expected to gain competitiveness in global markets and attract new investments in the sector.
This transformation marks a turning point in the history of the national port system, promising a more integrated and efficient future in navigation and port management.
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