After nearly three months of strike, the fleet in Uruguay sets sail once again.
BELNOVA remains committed to its course with seriousness and confidence.
- 20 de August de 2025
For 80 days, the labor dispute paralyzed a large part of the fishing fleet in Uruguay, leaving millions of dollars worth of goods stuck in port. The press reported a climate of extreme tension during assemblies, marked by threats and internal divisions.
With the end of the strike, companies are resuming operations in the South Atlantic. Each firm will now define its crews, progressively reactivating activity across the sector.
For BELNOVA, this return marks a key step toward the sector’s stability. The company reaffirms its commitment to operating with professionalism and predictability, in close collaboration with its international clients and crews.
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Uruguay’s longest fishing conflict in recent years comes to an end. The strength of the fishing sector is built on stability and responsible work. That is BELNOVA’s commitment in the South Atlantic.
BELNOVA stood firm until the end, upholding legality and advocating for the continuity of the fishing sector in Uruguay.
Threats and weapons reported at fishing assembly.
The fishing union (SUNTMA, Sindicato Único de Trabajadores del Mar y Afines) held a conflict that lasted nearly three months, paralyzing vessels loaded with frozen fish valued at tens of millions of dollars.
In recent meetings, tensions escalated to the point where reports emerged of direct threats against both business owners and crew members. The union’s pressure clashed with the economic needs of the crews, who ultimately voted in favor of resuming operations.
Although no formal agreement was reached with the companies, it was decided to allow the return of vessels to activity, leaving the selection of crew members to each company, thus ensuring operational continuity. The conflict centered on crew assignments for coastal vessels (193 boats in total, ranging from 16 to 27 meters in length).
The stoppage, which began on May 27, caused significant losses for the sector, with months of inactivity and severe impact across the value chain. Industry chambers reported an environment of pressure and obstacles that directly affected the normal development of operations.
Today, as activity resumes, the fleet is gradually returning to work. The fishing sector has shown that even under maximum pressure, professionalism and business organization are key to sustaining the future of the industry.
50 years sailing into the future
In 2025, Pesquerías Belnova celebrates its 50th anniversary — half a century of history marked by effort, constant innovation, and a genuine commitment to responsible fishing.
The reconstruction of the Río Solís IV and its modern fishing equipment reflect a philosophy that has guided us from the beginning: to improve every vessel, every process, and every product, with our sights set on the next 50 years.