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Conarpesa Blames SOMU for Paralysis of its Shrimp Fleet in Rawson

ARGENTINA
Thursday, March 06, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Conarpesa has attributed the paralysis of its fleet in Rawson to the United Maritime Workers Union (SOMU), alleging that the union organization prevented the ships from leaving due to the celebration of Fishermen's Day.

In response, the company has dismissed the sailors from its eight vessels in Rawson, according to reports by Nelson Saldivia for Revista Puerto.

Rawson Plant of the Conarpesa Group. Photo: Revista Puerto

This situation has led to the shutdown of the processing plant in Puerto Madryn due to a lack of raw materials and the early termination of the season. Additionally, the union also prevented the hiring of alternative crews.

The conflict was triggered when the Rawson delegation of SOMU prevented the departure of Agropez ships, belonging to the Conarpesa Group, arguing for the celebration of Fishermen's Day. In response to this measure, the company chose to dismiss the sailors from its eight ships, continuing operations only with three third-party vessels.

The lack of guaranteed supply led the company to stop the processing plant in Puerto Madryn and end the season, despite the remaining weeks of operations.

"The crew was ready to sail, but SOMU from Rawson prevented it. Faced with this situation, we decided to dismiss the sailors and end the season, also stopping the Puerto Madryn plant," explained Fernando Álvarez Castellano, president of Conarpesa.

Subsequently, attempts to hire alternative crews were thwarted by SOMU, who pressured the maritime agency to prevent the ships from leaving.

Consequences of the Conflict

"Due to the action of SOMU from Rawson, all the sailors from my ships were dismissed. Furthermore, the Madryn plant was paralyzed due to a lack of raw materials, leaving 300 workers unemployed until the end of the season," criticized Álvarez Castellano.

The Agropez plant in Rawson will continue operating with raw materials from third parties.

"It is unacceptable that the union paralyzes an entire fleet for Fishermen's Day, as if it were a national holiday. They have eight months of vacation and still pressure to stop activity for a day," he reproached.

Álvarez Castellano reported that 5,000 boxes of shrimp were being processed daily at each plant, employing 300 workers per plant. SOMU's decision led to the conclusion of the season and the closure of the Puerto Madryn plant.

Incidents in Rawson

The crews had boarded at 4 a.m. when SOMU, under the direction of local delegate Daniel Cisterna, prevented the ships from leaving. Conarpesa tried to hire new crews, but SOMU pressured the maritime agency to prevent it.

"I cannot allow millions of dollars to be immobilized, the plants to be active, and SOMU to prevent the ships from leaving for a party," he questioned.

Rejection of Coercive Measures

After the crews were dismissed, attempts were made to hire new sailors, but SOMU again prevented the ships from leaving.

"We tried to board another crew, but SOMU pressured the maritime agency. Faced with this, I decided to end the season," stated Álvarez Castellano.

The president of Conarpesa rejected the union's "thuggish measures," pointing to the harm caused to the sailors and the 300 workers at the Puerto Madryn plant.

"I will not allow these coercive measures. SOMU from Rawson harmed its own members and the workers at the Madryn plant," he concluded.

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