Centro de Navegación

What Centro de Navegación does

Centro de Navegación Argentina (CNAV) is a Buenos Aires-based non-profit civil association founded on May 9, 1900, that represents the interests of maritime transport in Argentine waters and ports. It aggregates roughly 80–100 member organizations spanning ship agencies, ship owners, international shipping lines, port terminal operators, and port authorities, and serves as the sole Argentine representative for the FONASBA Quality Standard program and a member of BIMCO and CIANAM. Its mandate combines institutional representation before regulators and unions, legal/tax/customs advisory, professional training, and publication of the River Plate Shipping Guide.

The organization's core technological asset is the Mercuria platform, an IT system developed in conjunction with AFIP/ADUANA (now ARCA) that enables customs transport agents (ATA) to comply with RG AFIP 5110/2021 and RG AFIP 4940/2021, transmitting advance import manifest declarations and electronic fluvial MIC/DTA registration. Mercury of capabilities is supplemented by an exclusive member Digital Library of regulatory and historical documents, a continuous training program covering shipping agency operations, laytime, dangerous goods, and ATA regulations, modern coworking facilities in the Florida 537 headquarters, and the River Plate Shipping Guide flagship publication.

CNAV's business model is membership-fee driven with diversified ancillary streams: recurring annual membership dues from ship agencies, shipping lines, terminals, and port authorities; fee-based training courses offered to both members and the general public; one-time publication revenue from the River Plate Shipping Guide; and coworking space rental. Distribution is domestic Argentine via the Buenos Aires headquarters and regional committees in Zárate-Campana, Puerto Madryn, and Ushuaia, with international affiliations providing global maritime community access.

Name

Centro de Navegación

Legal name

Centro de Navegación Argentina

Website

https://centrodenavegacion.org.ar

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centro de Navegación Argentina is a 125-year-old non-profit trade association in Buenos Aires that represents maritime transport interests for roughly 80–100 Argentine ship agencies, shipping lines, port terminals, and port authorities, delivering regulatory advocacy, the Mercuria customs IT platform, professional training, and the River Plate Shipping Guide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

Keywords

• Maritime transport services
• Ship agency representation
• Maritime industry training
• Customs documentation platform
• Maritime trade association

Headquarters

HQ city

Buenos Aires

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from ship agencies, shipping companies, port authorities, terminals, and other maritime sector stakeholders. Membership provides access to all services including legal advice, training, Mercuria platform, coworking space, and digital library.
2. Training Courses: Professional development courses including Shipping Agency I & II, Laytime, Dangerous Goods, Customs Transport Agent regime, and specialized maritime topics. Offered in hybrid and remote formats.
3. River Plate Shipping Guide: Annual publication containing comprehensive port infrastructure information, waterway data, road/rail networks, and sector legislation. Available in book format and digital access.
4. Coworking Space: Modern coworking facilities for members and their staff, equipped with WiFi, Zoom platform, refreshments, and lockers. Auditorium available for 60 people.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centro de Navegación Argentina is a non-profit civil association that represents the interests of maritime transport in Argentine waters and ports. It provides its members (ship agencies, shipping lines, port terminals, and other maritime stakeholders) with the Mercuria customs documentation platform, a members-only digital library, professional training courses, legal/maritime/customs advisory services, a coworking facility, and the FONASBA Quality Standard international certification program.

Product overview

Centro de Navegación offers a portfolio of services centered on its core IT platform, Mercuria, which provides customs documentation transmission for Argentine maritime agencies. The organization supplements this with member-exclusive services including a Digital Library for regulatory research, Training programs covering shipping agency operations, dangerous goods handling, and customs regulations, and advisory services. The River Plate Shipping Guide serves as a flagship publication for the maritime trade sector. Additional offerings include FONASBA quality certification, coworking facilities, and representation services before authorities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mercuria: An IT Platform developed by Centro de Navegación Argentina in conjunction with AFIP/Aduana, which allows all ship agents (members and non-members) to comply with official documentary requirements such as advance information of manifests and MIC/DTA electronic registration.
• River Plate Shipping Guide

Products and services

• Mercuria / Nodo Anticipada
• Biblioteca Digital (Digital Library)
• Capacitación (Training Services)
• Guí­a de la Navegación del Río de la Plata (River Plate Shipping Guide)
• Asesoramiento (Advisory Services)
• Coworking Space
• FONASBA Quality Standard

Quantifiable outcome

• 125 years of continuous operation representing Argentine maritime transport interests
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cámara del Asia (Asia Chamber)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2024Joint event: Course on Chinese Protocol Applied to Business held March 21 at CNAV auditorium, organized by Cámara del Asia and Centro de Navegación.
• Puerto Dock SudminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024Seminar co-organized on cabotage and merchant marine featuring Carla Monrabal, President of Puerto Dock Sud and Argentine Port Council.
• ITIC (International Transport Intermediaries Club)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2023Joint event hosted at Centro de Navegación auditorium on November 15, 2023. ITIC representatives discussed functions and claims trends with members worldwide.
• Pandi Liquidadores SRLminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2023Co-organized ITIC event with Centro de Navegación. Presented on types of claims that agents have in Argentina.
• Instituto Iberoamericano de Derecho Marítimo (IIDM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2023Joint event with Argentina and UK branches: Maritime Arbitration in London lecture by Dr. Miquel Roca at CNAV auditorium on September 21, 2023.
• FONASBAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization since establishment. Centro de Navegación serves as sole representative in Argentina for FONASBA Quality Standard program, developed and achieved approval of certification criteria for ship agents in Argentina.
• BIMCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational membership organization providing connection for development of Argentine maritime transport and foreign trade through valuable exchange of experiences, information, and international positioning.
• CIANAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of CIANAM (Centro de Investigación y Asistencia Naval Marítima) providing connection to international maritime community.
• AFIP / ADUANAcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped Mercuria platform in conjunction with AFIP/ADUANA (now ARCA) for processing and transmitting import titles via waterway. System meets RG AFIP 5110/2021 and RG AFIP 4940/2021 requirements.
• Prefectura Naval ArgentinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing institutional relationship for training and professional development. PNA conducts training sessions at CNAV facilities and participates in committee meetings. Recent visit by Prefect National PG Guillermo Giménez Pérez.
• Instituto Argentino de Estudios AduanerosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative advocacy for customs reforms. Centro de Navegación sent joint note regarding Temporary Admission Regime for Foreign Container Registration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Shipping Council: World Shipping Council is the international trade association for the global liner shipping industry, representing the operators of the container ships calling at Argentine ports (Maersk, MSC, CMA-CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Cosco). It overlaps with Centro de Navegación in representing liner shipping policy interests and engaging with port and customs authorities.
• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): ICS is the principal international trade association for the merchant shipping industry, representing around 80% of the world merchant tonnage. While broader and globally focused, it serves overlapping stakeholders (shipowners and operators including Maersk, MSC) and performs analogous advocacy, policy representation and information-sharing functions for its members.
• American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA): AAPA is a North American trade association representing public port authorities and their industry partners. While geographically and segmentally broader, it parallels Centro de Navegación's role in representing port stakeholders, advocating policy, and convening members on port-related maritime issues.
• INTERCARGO: INTERCARGO is the international association of dry bulk shipowners and operators, focused on promoting quality, safety, environmental and legal standards. It mirrors CNAV's combination of industry representation, technical advocacy and member-service orientation within a defined maritime segment.
• INTERTANKO: INTERTANKO is the international trade association for independent tanker operators, providing regulatory representation, technical guidance and industry standards for the tanker sector. Comparable to Centro de Navegación in role (membership-based maritime trade body providing advocacy, technical services and policy engagement) but with a narrower tank-segment focus.

Direct peers

• BIMCO: BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, providing contracts, standards and policy representation for shipowners, operators and agents. It is a strategic partner of Centro de Navegación and serves the same maritime trade community (shipowners, agents, charterers) with overlapping member companies such as Maersk and MSC.
• FONASBA (Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents): FONASBA is the global umbrella federation of national ship broker and agent associations, of which Centro de Navegación is itself an Argentine member and sole local representative for the Quality Standard program. Highly comparable in function: a federation of national maritime agency associations, with overlapping membership profiles and standards-setting role.
• CIANAM (Centro de Investigación y Asistencia Naval Marítima): CIANAM is a Latin American maritime research and assistance body of which Centro de Navegación is a member. It is closely comparable as a regional maritime organization promoting naval/maritime research and supporting industry stakeholders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/login
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cennavearg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centro de Navegación