Every 25 November is celebrated in our country the Merchant Navy Day, a date that commemorates the creation of the National Nautical School ‘Manuel Belgrano’ founded in 1799. This event marked a milestone in the training of maritime professionals and in the development of river and maritime trade, vital for the country's economy and connectivity.

The National Nautical School, the oldest of its kind in Latin America, was founded 225 years ago by Manuel Belgrano, who at the time was Secretary of Industry and Commerce of the Royal Consulate of Santa María de los Buenos Aires. A visionary in understanding the importance of a national merchant fleet and the training of nautical officers, he promoted the creation of this institution to strengthen trade and navigation in the Río de la Plata.

‘The main purpose of this school is the study of nautical science, thus providing young people with an honourable and lucrative career’ - Manuel Belgrano.

This school was the first institute of higher education dedicated to the Exact Sciences to be erected in the Río de la Plata. In its first years, the school operated as a space for teaching nautical techniques and applied mathematics, essential for navigation. The courses began on 25 November 1799 and from its classrooms graduated men such as Bernardino Rivadavia, Lucio V. Mansilla and Mariano Moreno (H), among others.
This institution is today a component unit of the General Directorate of Education of the Navy whose objective is the training of Merchant Navy Officers in all the specialities required by the service of overseas vessels such as container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, ore carriers, cruise ships and other types of vessels that are not destined for trade and perform tasks of assistance and support to this main task, such as dredgers, beacons and tugboats, among others.

Merchant Navy officers work on merchant ships, both national and of other flags, whose main task is the transport of goods within and outside our territory. Thus, they are essential for foreign trade and for the growth of our country, forming at the same time a fundamental part of the National Maritime Interests.

Today, we celebrate those who, from the water, promote the growth and sovereignty of Argentina, keeping alive the legacy of Manuel Belgrano and the National Nautical School.