The Argentine Naval Prefecture participated in the christening and inauguration ceremony of the "China Zorrilla" (IMO 9916678), a Uruguayan-flagged, electric-powered high-speed passenger vessel, which took place at the Buquebus Passenger Terminal, in the Dársena Norte of the Port of Buenos Aires.
The official ceremony was attended by prominent authorities from both countries. Representing Argentina were the Chief of Cabinet of Ministers of the Nation, Diego Santilli; the General Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei; the National Senator for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Patricia Bullrich; and the National Naval Sub-Prefect, Prefecto General Alejandro Annichini, accompanied by the Director General of Security, Prefecto General Carlos Villarreal, and the Director of Navigation Security Police, Prefecto General José Fernando Dos Santos, among other authorities.
Representing the Oriental Republic of Uruguay were Vice President Carolina Cosse and the Mayor of the department of Colonia, Guillermo Rodríguez. Also present were the ambassadors of the Kingdom of Norway, Halvor Saetre, and the Republic of Finland, Veikko Kiljunen, in addition to businesspeople and special guests.
After the ceremony, the president of Buquebus, Juan Carlos López Mena, invited attendees to a guided tour of the "China Zorrilla" to explore its facilities and amenities. The day concluded with a cocktail reception.
As part of navigation safety tasks, during the vessel's first departure after its christening, the Force deployed coast guards GC-73 "Cabo Corrientes" and GC-79 "Río Deseado," along with helicopter PA-80, which conducted an overflight to accompany the maneuver and provide security during navigation.
