April 10th – Hidrovia

April 09th 2020

Hidrovia

In view of the ongoing developing situation and different communications and instructions being issued by Sanitary Authorities of the Argentine Government we have chosen to send a consolidated daily report at the closing of working hours with an update of the day’s news.

-National Holidays: Friday April 10th, Good Friday, is a National Holiday in Argentina. Easter.

-Covid-19 National Quarantine: The President announced that the National Quarantine, with severe restrictions on people’s movements is to remain well into the month of May. According to forecasts this will be the time when the contagion and the highest number of cases will appear.

-Upriver: WE WISH TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS

Trust that you are reading our DRAFT REPORT sent during the morning. The maximum sailing draft from San Lorenzo was reported at 9.32 meters (30 feet 06 inches) today and 9.45 meters (31 feet 00 inches) from Rosario. The forecast for medium term (one month) is that this will persist due to the lack of significant rain in the upper River Parana, Iguazu and Paraguay basin.

-Necochea: The port was opened today, April 09th at 1615 hours. Vessels in port and loaded sailed and those in the line up for the berths are now berthing.


-Necochea and Bahia Blanca:
The grain surveyors’ union are still keeping a “work to rule” and will only attend vessels in normal working hours. No work on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th 0700/1300.

-Hidrovia (Recalada/San Lorenzo Timbues): The concession for dredging and maintenance of the River Parana and River Plate will be due up for renewal in less than one year’s time. March 2021. Thought is now being given to the terms and requirements for the new concession in order to improve on what was a very successful initial concession that was primarily run by Jan de Nul. The main topics being discussed are, of course, an improvement in the design and maximum sailing draft. The debate is whether to increase it to 36 feet or 38 feet, the tariff structure so as to move on to a tariff being based, not as now on the size of the vessels transiting, but on the draft of the vessels transiting the waterway. A new design of the “sections” into which the River is now divided that will more follow the transit of the vessels in light of the new ports and terminals that have been constructed, especially Upriver from San Lorenzo T6 in the Timbues area. The Canal, especially between Recalada and Zona Comun is in need of widening to adapt to larger Container vessels and in that way allow for more crossing areas so as not to delay heavily loaded vessels.

-Grain/Agriproducts inflow: Volumes of cargo inflow from shore to the Terminals is sustained by both truck and rail. These terminals are expected to be adequately supplied with cargo for incoming vessels.

Will keep you posted.

Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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