National Shipping S.A., a long-standing shipping company in river fuel transport, has returned to the political spotlight after its name was mentioned as a client of the +Be consulting firm, linked to Bettina Angeletti, wife of Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, in a complaint of alleged conflict of interest filed in Congress. The company is part of the small group of shipowners operating the transport of hydrocarbons by river and for over two decades has participated in the transfer of fuels by barges between Santa Fe and Barranqueras, in the province of Chaco, within one of the key logistical corridors of the waterway. The core control of National Shipping is historically linked to the Virasoro family, a name with a recurring presence in both corporate leadership and entities in the shipping sector. Within this network, Cecilia Virasoro is identified in the sector as one of the company's owners and also serves as the secretary of the Federation of Argentine Shipping Companies (FENA), an entity that brings together the main shipowners of the national merchant marine. In the structure of this federation, other names associated with the shipping company also appear: Marisa Plaza, representative of National Shipping and pro-treasurer of FENA; Juan Albarenque, a member of the federation; and Sergio Giatti, also a member of the same sectoral entity. The simultaneous presence of company executives in business representation roles reinforces the weight of the shipping company in the business of river fuel transport. In parallel, various sector references mention Federico Virasoro as a director and visible figure of the company during the years it consolidated its presence in the market for river transport of hydrocarbons. A historical player in river transport For years, National Shipping operated fuel transport services with barges and tugs along the Paraná-Paraguay waterway. This business constitutes one of the most sensitive segments of the country's energy logistics, as it connects refineries with distribution points on the Argentine coast. The company consolidated itself within this circuit for over two decades in a market characterized by a small number of operators and long-term contracts. The sectoral weight of the company Beyond its commercial activity, National Shipping maintains influence within the business network of the Argentine merchant marine through its participation in sectoral chambers and federations. The Federation of Argentine Shipping Companies acts as an institutional interlocutor with the State on regulatory issues, maritime norms, and policies related to river transport. The presence of company executives in positions within this entity reinforces its capacity for influence within the shipping industry. The link to the political complaint The name of National Shipping reappeared on the political agenda after deputy Marcela Pagano filed a complaint for alleged conflict of interest against Manuel Adorni, in which the +Be consulting firm, linked to his wife Bettina Angeletti, and private companies that would have hired its services are mentioned. According to the filing, among the consulting firm's clients is National Shipping, a company with a strong presence in river fuel transport. The complaint suggests that this combination of links—between a private consulting firm linked to the official's family and companies with businesses in regulated sectors—could open a front for possible incompatibilities or crossed relationships between the public and private spheres.
