The provincial government of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost region, has intensified its struggle for control of the Port of Ushuaia following the arrival of a tanker it labeled as "British." This development comes after the federal government assumed control of the port in January, leading to a contentious political clash between Governor Gustavo Melella and President Javier Milei’s administration. Melella condemned the docking of the tanker, VS Promise, deeming it "unacceptable" and emphasizing the province’s claim over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands, which they argue are unlawfully occupied by Britain.
Since 2011, Tierra del Fuego has enforced a local law banning British-flagged vessels from its ports, a stance echoed by neighboring provinces. The VS Promise, a crude oil tanker registered in the Isle of Man, presents a complex situation, as the Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown Dependency and not officially part of the UK. Melella criticized the federal government for allowing the tanker to dock, questioning the rationale behind this decision while highlighting the strategic importance of Ushuaia for Argentina.
In January, the federal government suspended the port authority, citing financial mismanagement and operational issues. The port is now under a trustee for a year, with President Milei pointing to a lack of effective responses from provincial authorities. Following its brief stay, the VS Promise has since departed and is en route to the Rio Cullen oil terminal operated by TotalEnergies.
