Flota Mercante del Estado: Una Historia de Servicio

The Flota Mercante del Estado, or FME, has a rich history of service that spans over a century. Founded in 1921, it was initially designed to provide a reliable and efficient shipping service to the Argentine government.

The FME was established to meet the country's growing need for maritime transportation. Its primary goal was to transport goods, fuel, and other essential supplies to remote areas of Argentina.

In its early years, the FME played a crucial role in Argentina's economic development, providing a vital link between the country's coastal regions and its interior.

The Flota Mercante del Estado has a rich history that dates back to 1941, when it was created by decree. It was formed by 16 Italian ships that were already in Argentine ports.

The Flota Mercante del Estado was initially an organization belonging to the Ministry of Marina. It later acquired new ships from Europe.

In 1952, the Flota Mercante del Estado joined forces with other transportation entities to form the Empresa Nacional de Transportes, or ENT. This move was part of a broader effort to consolidate transportation services under one umbrella.

The ENT existed until 1956, when it was dissolved by the "Revolución Libertadora" dictatorship. This marked a significant turning point in the history of the Flota Mercante del Estado.

The Flota Mercante del Estado was later reconstituted as a state-owned enterprise in 1958, following a decree from the Poder Ejecutivo. This move allowed it to operate more independently.

During the presidency of Arturo Frondizi, the Flota Mercante del Estado was merged with the Flota Argentina de Navegación de Ultramar to form the Empresa Líneas Marítimas Argentinas, or ELMA. This marked a significant shift in the organization's structure and operations.

On October 16, 1932, the Flota Mercante del Estado was officially established in Argentina.

The shipyard in Campana, where the company's first ships were built, began operations in 1935.

The company's early years were marked by rapid expansion, with a fleet of 17 ships by the end of 1939.

The ship "Presidente Perón" was the first to be built in the company's own shipyard, in 1948.

The Flota Mercante del Estado played a significant role in Argentina's economy during the 1950s and 1960s.

The company's fleet reached a peak of 120 ships in 1959.

The Flota Mercante del Estado was created in 1941 by decree n.º 103 316, signed by Ramón S. Castillo on October 16th of that year.

This marked the beginning of the state-run shipping company, which was initially part of the Ministry of Marina. It was formed with 16 Italian ships that were already in Argentine ports.

The Flota Mercante del Estado went on to acquire new ships from Europe, expanding its fleet.

In 1952, the company became part of the Empresa Nacional de Transportes (ENT), along with other transportation entities, including the Flota Argentina de Navegación Fluvial and the Flota Argentina de Navegación de Ultramar.

This consolidation effort lasted until 1956, during the "Revolución Libertadora" dictatorship.

The Flota Mercante del Estado was reorganized in 1958, when the government decided to transform it into a state-owned company, in accordance with the Law of State Enterprises.