April 22nd – Hidrovia

April 22nd 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, May 01st 2020, Labor day. Next Monday, May 25th, May Revolution.

-Covid-19 National Quarantine: The National Quarantine, with severe restrictions on people’s movements is to remain in force until April 26th. It is taken for granted that it will be extended. Certain additional occupations will be exempted from the restrictions.

-River Parana draft restriction: The low volume of water in the Paraná has changed the River’s behavior. A south-east wind started blowing yesterday and filled up the River Plate increasing the high tide range. This caused the River level to rise overnight at San Nicolas by 0.57 meters and thanks to this the coal laden mv ASIA CONFIDENCE, ON 9.92 meters draft proceeded from her anchorage at Zona Comun to Puerto Buitrago for discharge. Additionally, the mv GNG CONCORD2, herself on 9.60 meters, has pilots onboard and will proceed inbound from Recalada also. Hopefully the River Parana level will be maintained and she will also be able to reach Puerto Buitrago to discharge.

Under usual River Parana conditions the tidal range of the River Plate only affected ports south of San Pedro and from then on was neutralized by the River flow.

-River Parana dredging: Dredgers continue working as per yesterday’s report. Four/Five are working all the time according to HIDROVIA. Please follow our morning DRAFT REPORT for progress.

At San Nicolas New Port it is expected that the dredger DASA I will be arriving by the end of this week to improve the overall draft situation there. This work is independent of HIDROVIA and is being contracted by the San Nicolas Port Consortium.

-HIDROVIA S.A.: The new tender for design and maintenance of the River Plate/River Parana waterway is due for renewal in March 2021. Study groups, think-tanks and lobbyists are getting proposals together to draw up the tender requirements for the next concession. We shall keep you posted on this.

-Grain Markets: Export licenses granted today April 22nd were down slightly, 100,000 mt wheat, 12,600 mt 10,000 mt maize.

-Vicentin: 250 trucks with soya beans (9,500 tons) were reported arrived at Vicentin’s crushing plant at Riccardone (San Lorenzo) today. This is the beginning of the re-activation of their activity. The crushing is being done as subcontract for other parties. Vicentin cannot yet crush for themselves.

-Soya bean oil: China will be importing about 1 million tons of soya bean oil in order to build of reserves. Of this quantity 300/500,000 tons are expected to come from Argentina.

-Necochea: The port remains open since April 09th at 1615 hrs.

-Necochea and Bahia Blanca: The grain surveyors’ union are still keeping a “work to rule” and will only attend vessels in normal working hours. Monday to Friday 0700/1900 hrs. Saturday 0700/1300 hrs.

Will keep you posted.

Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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