July 12th – River Parana

July 12th 2020

River Parana Water level

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: Next National Holiday Monday August 17th, San Martin day.

River Parana Water level: The River Parana dropped sharply over the last few days. Until last week the maximum sailing draft from Upriver had been over 10 meters, but within two days the river dropped back to 9.66 meters. This is due mainly to the emptying out of the River Plate which had been kept filled by S/SE winds that caused tides to be above forecast values and therefore retained the water in the Parana. When these winds rotated to N/NE the exceptional volume of water emptied out. The forecast at the moment for the coming months is that maximum sailing drafts will be in the order of 10 meters, plus or minus 30 centimeters.

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Input to ports: Thursday 3,658 trucks arrived at Upriver Terminals. Of these 1,893 were maize and 1,578 were soy beans.

Recalada: Recalada closes often due to swell and high winds. Usual during the early winter months.

Necochea: Necochea remains closed since, Friday July 10th at 1715 hours, due to 2.60 meters swell and 55 km/h winds. Today noon the swell was measured at 3.00 meters so the situation remains unchanged.

Bahia Blanca: Pilotage service is being rendered normally.

Covid-19: Between July 01st and July 17th Buenos Aires and the suburbs are being subjected to very strict quarantine.
The Province of Santa Fe has been relaxing the restrictions. This includes Arroyo Seco, Rosario, San Lorenzo and Timbues. But this means that all persons coming from City and Province of Buenos Aires will be subjected to a 14 day quarantine before being allowed to take up residence, even if it is for only one night. All towns have restricted access. Over the last few days vessels calling in the area have had to suspend or ask for extension to surveys because surveyors come from Buenos Aires.
One solution to this, although partial, is that a remote survey is carried out which allows the vessel to be granted an interim extension to be granted by Class and Flag.

Crew changes: Crew changes are not possible in Argentina TODAY.
Uruguay is beginning to allow entry for foreigners. At the moment passengers arriving must be Covid 19 free with a valid negative test performed 72 prior departure. The regulations changes day on day. If there is any urgent change to be made please check with us before committing.

*** IMPORTANT *** Recalada/Zona Comun. New procedures for arriving vessels: As from Sunday June 14th, the CoastGuard medics are not attending at Recalada. The change is that now medics are boarding vessels at Zona Comun, but only as from 0900 hours. It means that the preliminary inspection has added cost. Each vessel must pay a launch service for the two medics and additionally the pilots charge an anchoring fee. This will amount to additional cost as follows:
USD 1,900.00 launch service, Monday to Friday. Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays USD 2,080.00
plus
USD ——– Pilot’s anchoring fee calculated as follows: USD 14.00 per Fiscal Unit of the vessel. FUs are calculated basis (LOA x Beam x Molded depth)/800.

The latest instruction is that inbound vessels will sail from Recalada so as to arrive at Zona Comun approximately 0800 hours so as to be inspected during daylight hours. On the other hand most vessels arriving at Recalada with more than 14 days since last port of call are frequently allowed to proceed to load port without stoppage.

Will keep you posted.

Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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