Argentina Suspends Deregulation Decree to End River Pilot Strike

The Government of Argentina suspended a deregulation decree on August 5, 2026, ending a work stoppage by river pilots that paralyzed the country's primary grain corridors. The strike, which began around August 1, stranded between 140 and 150 ships and halted commercial activity at the Greater Rosario hub, a critical node for approximately 80% of Argentina's foreign trade in fuel and agricultural products like soy and corn.

The conflict centered on Decree 690/2026, signed by President Javier Milei and Deregulation Minister Federico Sturzenegger. The decree sought to reduce logistics costs by removing caps on the pilots' register, capping tariffs, and allowing certified foreign captains to navigate without local pilots. The Professional Association of Captains and River Guides of the Merchant Marine opposed the measure, arguing it endangered navigational safety and the environment.

While the Argentine Naval Prefecture initially ordered pilots back to work under threat of criminal complaints, the government eventually negotiated a reduction in sector tariffs and suspended the decree. Following these concessions, grain ports resumed normal operations on Wednesday, August 5, clearing the backlog of vessels and restoring the flow of soybean oil, meal, corn, and wheat exports.