In a recent client newsletter shared in late June 2026, Gard's correspondent in Argentina, Simonsen, reports that Argentina has formally ratified the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007), following the enactment of Law No. 27,812 on 20 May 2026. The ratification introduces immediate and binding obligations for shipowners and operators calling at Argentine ports or operating in Argentine waters.
Published 16 July 2026
The following is adapted from Simonsen's newsletter with their permission.
Argentina Formally Ratifies the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention
The Argentine Republic has officially ratified the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007).
The Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,812 (as published in the file Ley 28712 Convenio Nairobi 2007. The law was passed on May 20, 2026, and subsequently promulgated on June 12, 2026. With this milestone, what was once a prospective regulatory shift is now an official legal reality in Argentina.
What This Means for Operators Now
The implementation of this Convention introduces strict and immediate statutory duties for shipowners and masters operating in Argentine waters:
Compulsory Insurance: All vessels of 300 GT or more calling at Argentine ports, operating within its territorial waters, or approaching offshore facilities must maintain specific insurance covering wreck removal liabilities.
On-Board Certification: Vessels must always carry the corresponding Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC) to avoid operational delays, detentions, or severe financial exposure.
Strict Reporting & Liability: In the event of a maritime incident, masters or owners face mandatory, immediate reporting obligations regarding the vessel's condition, cargo, and fuel, alongside direct financial liability for hazardous wreck removal.
To read the full Nairobi Convention, please visit this link.
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