Argentina: quality shipbuilding

These Buenos Aires shipyards are today a strategic hub of the Argentine boat industry, well connected to international markets.

Argentina shipbuilding today produces with a high level of quality, recognised by the most demanding international markets to which Argentina has been exporting for more than 25 years. Demand ranges from vessels for transport, commercial fishing, security and defence to vessels for tourism, yachting and sport. Today there are 116 natural harbours, anchorages and marinas in Argentina.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Argentina’s nautical industry has a long history that began on the banks of the Rio de la Plata at the beginning of the 20th Century, with the arrival of Italian immigrants and the construction of the first shipyards. The first builders applied their expertise to the construction of wooden boats. Sailboats, boats of elegance and quality began to ply the waters of Argentina.

In the 1960s, with the use of reinforced plastic (GRP) and mass production, the Argentine boat industry reached maturity. The period between 1960 and 1980 is still seen as a “golden age”, which encouraged many people to take up nautical sports. The success achieved by Argentine athletes led more and more people to approach yachting, increasing the demand of those who love this activity and the willingness of manufacturers to satisfy it.

TODAY’S OVERVIEW

Today, the northern metropolitan bank of the city of Buenos Aires – represented by the districts of San Fernando, Tigre, San Isidro, Vicente López and Escobar – shows a connective tissue of competing shipyards and enterprises that are strong generators of skilled employment in the area, to which are added other examples in the provinces of Santa Fe, Córdoba, Entre Ríos and Misiones.
The entire industry cultivates craft practices and trades in technical schools, developing naval architects and designers together with the university.

A FEW DATA

In the 1990s, boat production averaged 7,800 units per year. With more than 120 companies building sailboats, cruise ships, powerboats, inflatable boats, equipment and the necessary services for boat production and maintenance, the sector employs more than 7,000 people.

Although imports of boats, equipment and components grew in the 1990s, especially from the US, due to the favourable exchange rate of the Argentine pesos against the US dollar, currently only 3% of registered boats are imported.

In 2024, according to the UN Comtrade database on international trade, Argentina’s imports of yachts and other recreational or sports boats from Italy amounted to USD 283.5 thousand.

PROMOTING THE LIGHT-SHIP INDUSTRY

The light marine industry in Argentina is one of the international benchmarks in the construction and design of light boats, both for leisure and professional use. The sector’s offerings range from the design and construction of large cruise ships up to 100 feet in length, and a wide range of boats (semi-rigids, sailboats, motorboats) designed for sports and recreational use.

To promote the development of the light shipbuilding, sailing and yachting industry, Cacel, the light boat manufacturers association in Argentina, was founded in 1969 on the initiative of the country’s main shipyards.

Headquartered in San Fernando (a city considered the national capital of the boating industry), Cacel represents shipyards and workshops, manufacturers and distributors of nautical parts, suppliers of related services, boat commissioners, insurance promoters, importers, as well as other players in the sector.

Cacel interacts at the national, provincial and municipal levels to protect the interests of the boating industry, present petitions to the authorities and act as a liaison for dealing with regulatory, fiscal and promotional aspects. It works closely with the Argentine Naval Prefecture, the control authority that regulates shipbuilding and ensures safe and environmentally sustainable navigation. It also negotiates collective bargaining agreements with trade unions. It is a member of Icomia (International Council of Nautical Industries Associations) and the UIA (Argentine Industrial Union).

THE ARGENTINE BOAT SHOW

Cacel organises the Argentine Boat Show, which is held periodically at the Exhibition Centre of the San Fernando Nautical Park Consortium. It is the most important nautical event at national level and has been part of the World Boat Show Calendar since 1983. It attracts visitors from all over the country and members of the national and international press.

The 24th edition of the event will take place in November, over two weekends: between 7 and 9 and between 14 and 16 November 2025. Accessories, engines and services will also find space both in the outdoor stands and in the indoor area.

Cacel has also been the architect of several editions of the National Nautical Forum, an event where those working in the nautical industry analyse the challenges of the sector together with the authorities and discuss a better future for Argentinian sailing.

Of a distinctly sporting nature is the Argentine Yachting Federation, dedicated specifically to sailing. Founded in October 1922, the purpose of this association is to promote and encourage sailing regattas and sailing for amateurs, but also to sponsor, organise and control trials to nominate Argentine yachting representatives to the Olympic and Pan-American Games and all competitions in which national delegations participate.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS 

GDP growth

• – 1,61% (2023)
• +2.10% (estimated 2024)

(Source: Trading Economics)

GDP growth per capita (2023)

• – 1.9%

(Source: Trading Economics)

High Net Worth Individuals 2021

• In 2021, the average personal wealth of Argentina’s richest 1% was estimated at EUR 795,200. 
• In the same year, the poorest 50% of the population possessed an average wealth of only EUR 3,500 (or 234,090 Argentine pesos), or 5.7% of the national wealth.

(Source: Statista)

Argentina – Retail Expenditure (March 2025)

• 87,7%

(Source: Trading Economics)

Consumer Confidence (May 2025)

• 45.49 index points 

(Source: Trading Economics)

Unemployed (September 2024)

• 6,9%

(Source: County Economy)