The 1971 Tigre, Argentina, built PROGRESO ARGENTINO is seen passing Portishead, inbound for Avonmouth exactly fifty years ago today, on 9th April 1972. Although owned by Ultramar of Buenos Aires, she was listed in Lloyd's Confidential Index under Navigation & Coal Trade Co Ltd of London and was painted with Vlasov funnel colours.

Later: 1982 LUCAYAN TRADER (still managed by V Ships)

She finally arrived at Gadani Beach in Pakistan on 31st May 1986 for breaking

The Argentine maritime histoian Guillermo Berger has advised as follows:

When built in the late 60’s, the PROGRESO ARGENTINO was the largest vessel delivered by an Argentine yard, in this case the Astarsa shipyard at San Fernando, north of Buenos Aires. Astarsa was one of the oldest and most innovative shipbuilding enterprises down here. It ceased operations during the early 80’s. Its former site has been partially cleared, while other section have been intruded. The area is completely derelict.

Alexandre Vlasov had a long association with Argentina, which started when he settled here for a decade during 1940. In 1941 he founded the Cia. Argentina de Navegación de Ultramar, which later became the owner of PROGRESO ARGENTINO. I sailed with one of her former crewmembers, and he had fond memories for both the vessel as well as for Boris Vlasov, who frequently visited the ship. It was common practice to swap vessels within the various constituent companies of the Vlasov group, which eventually became well-known for its passenger and cruise vessels.