Río Santiago Shipyard

Río Santiago Shipyard
Native name
Astillero Río Santiago
IndustryShip transport, Rail transport
Founded1953 (1953) in Ensenada
Headquarters,
ProductsMerchant vessels, Warships, Rolling stock
OwnerGovernment of Buenos Aires Province
Number of employees
3,600 (2014)
DivisionsIndustrial
Transport
Merchancy
Websiteastillero.gba.gov.ar

The Rio Santiago Shipyard is a shipyard located in the city of Ensenada, Buenos Aires Province at the shores of the Santiago River. Currently owned by the Government of Buenos Aires Province, it has been one of the major active and important shipyards in Latin America. Founded in 1953, it has realized diverse functions in the naval, industrial and railroad sectors. In its golden age the shipyard reached 8,000 workers on double shift. In 2008 relies on 2,700 workers.

The most famous work was the construction, in 1962, of the Fragata Libertad. In 1966 this vessel obtained the world speed record in sailing on its voyage across the North Atlantic, covering a distance of 2,058.6 nautical miles (3,812.5 km) in 8 days and 12 hours. The race began in Cape Race, Canada and ended at an imaginary line set between Dublin and Liverpool.