Argentina has taken another important step towards strengthening national and regional maritime information sharing through IORIS, with 20 representatives from the Argentine Navy and Prefectura successfully completing the MARCO3 IORIS Leadership Course from 3 to 7 August 2026.
The training marks the latest development in cooperation between EUCRIMARIO and Argentina since the launch of the new phase of the programme in August 2025, which has placed increased emphasis on developing partnerships with countries along the Atlantic coast of Latin America. This engagement was further reinforced by a mission to the region by the Director and the LATAM regional representative of the project in February 2026.
Argentina hosted its first IORIS Fundamentals Course in March 2026, introducing participants to the platform and its role in supporting secure maritime information exchange. The MARCO3 IORIS Leadership Course represented the next step in consolidating its use at national level.
From platform use to operational leadership
The Leadership Course is designed for senior operators and managers responsible for maritime operations and coordination. It focuses on developing the skills needed to promote cooperation and improve coordination through better communication, established procedures and information analysis.
These capabilities can support operations at sea, along coastlines and in inland waters, while also contributing to responses to wider maritime safety and security challenges, including the protection of sustainable fisheries.
The course follows a modular approach that can be adapted to partners’ operational needs and can include a train-the-trainers component, helping national institutions progressively develop the capacity to expand the use of IORIS independently.
The twenty participants represented a broad range of operational and strategic functions within Argentina’s two principal maritime actors.
From the Argentine Navy, participants came from the Maritime Joint Command, Maritime Traffic Department, Maritime Interests Directorate and Antarctic Command.
The Prefectura was represented by personnel from the Directorate of Maritime, River and Lake Traffic, Directorate of Communications, and Directorate of Criminal Intelligence and Investigations.
Bringing together personnel from maritime operations, communications, intelligence, maritime traffic and command functions helped establish a common understanding of IORIS across key national stakeholders.
Building the foundations for stronger national coordination
The training strengthened the capacity of both institutions to implement and use IORIS in their daily work while creating new opportunities for closer interdepartmental cooperation and information sharing.
The participation of key departments from both the Argentine Navy and Prefectura also created favourable conditions for a more coordinated national approach to maritime information exchange and operational cooperation.
During the closing ceremony, Captain Garay addressed the participants and highlighted the strategic importance of the capabilities developed during the training. “Its true value lies not only in the technology itself, but in strengthening the work of those who analyse information, make decisions and lead operations. By facilitating information exchange and the coordination of efforts, it contributes to greater trust, efficiency and cooperation.”
He also stressed that effective maritime security increasingly depends on collaboration across institutions: “Maritime cooperation is no longer an option; it is a strategic necessity. No institution can address today’s challenges alone. Only by integrating capabilities and sharing information can we effectively protect our resources, ensure the safety of navigation and defend national interests.”
Captain Garay also highlighted the value of IORIS as an internationally established tool for coordination between agencies and partner countries and expressed his appreciation to the EUCRIMARIO team and instructor Diego Ron González for delivering the training.
The activity reinforced institutional engagement with EUCRIMARIO and established a solid foundation for the continued deployment and consolidation of IORIS in Argentina.
Connecting Argentina to wider regional cooperation
Argentina’s strategic position in the South Atlantic and its extensive maritime domain make effective maritime information sharing particularly relevant.
Its operational connections with neighbouring countries including Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil offer significant opportunities for stronger interoperability, improved maritime domain awareness and more coordinated responses to shared maritime security challenges.
Argentina also sits within maritime routes connecting South America with Africa and Europe. Strengthening mechanisms for timely and secure information exchange therefore has relevance well beyond national borders.
The continued integration of Argentina into IORIS can contribute to stronger national coordination while supporting the development of regional maritime cooperation across Latin America and reinforcing maritime information-sharing links between Latin America, Africa and Europe.