Opinion Article: Overpricing, Conflicts of Interest, and Corruption in Fishing (Part 3 of 4
ARGENTINA Saturday, January 24, 2026, 00:00 (GMT + 9)
From the information gathered, it could be presumed—subject to judicial investigation—that the bidding processes for the research vessels “Víctor Angelescu” and “Mar Argentino” were steered so that the Spanish provider Armón Vigo would be the awardee. This resulted in an evident harm to the national treasury, the Argentine shipbuilding industry, technological development, and job creation. Although it was known within port circles that INIDEP would tender the construction of two fisheries research vessels, no national shipyard was formally notified. The Federation of the Argentine Shipbuilding Industry (FINA); the Bonaerense Association of the Shipbuilding Industry (ABIN) and Argentine shipyards were never informed or invited to quote. No national shipyard was granted access to the bidding documents in a timely and proper ... FULL STORY