According to the reports, amid increased arms shopping, Argentina is turning the heat on shipping to the British-ruled Falkland Islands ahead of further results from recent drilling for underwater crude oil and gas reserves.

The latest Argentine coast guard restrictions on shipping came after President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announced plans in February to monitor vessels traveling to and from the South Atlantic archipelago.

It was further reported that the Argentine curbs include punitive action against vessels that are found to be involved with the Falklands' oil exploration effort, hotly contested by Buenos Aires, which claims sovereignty over the islands.

Britain and Argentina went to war in 1982 after an Argentine bid to seize control of the islands. The 74-day conflict cost 907 lives but, even after defeat, Argentina never abandoned the sovereignty claim, which it revived with public rallies when British oil firms started drilling for oil in the north Falklands Basin last year.

It was further noted by the report that Fernandez escalated the sovereignty claim on the 28th anniversary of the Falklands War April 2, accusing Britain of ignoring U. N. resolutions. Britain says the Falklands' sovereignty isn't in dispute.

Requests for permission to travel by sea to the islands from Argentina must be submitted seven days before departure. It has warned shippers the same rule applies to vessels bound for Argentina from the Falklands, South Georgia or South Sandwich Islands in the Falklands archipelago, Argentine Naval Prefecture has said.

At the heart of the new restrictions are Argentine demands for shippers' adherence to its Decree 256/2010, which means shippers who comply tacitly recognize Argentine jurisdiction over the islands, a British Overseas territory. (With Inputs from Agencies)