March 19th – Bahia Blanca and Necochea

Mar 19th 2020

Bahia Blanca and Necochea

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.

-In reference to our Report sent noontime the Government has confirmed that a Nationwide Quarantine is being implemented as from 00:00 hrs March 20th. This will be place until, at least March 31st.
The full extent and implications for the maritime industry, ports, terminals and berths will start to be understood as from tomorrow March 20th as each installation decides how they administer the situation. All movement by persons deemed non-essential is to be prohibited and strictly enforced. There are many excepted activities. Food, food shops, grocery stores, petrol stations, and such. We shall report with news as it comes to light.

-Bahia Blanca:
The port administration has ordered that all vessels coming from affected areas must comply with a 14 day quarantine which will start to count as from the day of sailing from the last “infected” port. This is to apply to vessels entering port and will also apply to vessels now waiting at Roads to berth. Namely the mv FUAT BEY and the mv REVENGER. It is yet to be advised how this applies to vessels calling at Buoy 11 for bunkers only.
Stevedores will not be attending vessels March 20th. mv IONIAN SEA and mv KIWI TRADER will not continue.
-Necochea:
Stevedores stopped working on the tanker CTG MAGNESIUM and refused to board and commence work on the bulk carrier mv MOUNT OWEN, both of which had come Brazil, affected area, less than 14 days ago. The situation is to be clarified to see how this will be further applied.
-Delta Dock, Zarate:
The port has instructed detailed procedures for vessels calling at their berth. Crew will not be allowed to descend and all non-essential shore personnel must not go further than the gangway.
-Timbues:
Municipal Government has instructed that all Terminal within their boundary must close. This has yet to be put into practice. The affected berths are: AGD berth, Renova, Cermoelectrica General San Martin, Dreyfus, Cofco, and Minera Alumbrera.
-San Lorenzo:
Both pilots and boat services will be working normally as per first advise.Vessels loading at Terminal 6 will continue normally.

-Unrelated, but still news, the mv Federal Tiber loaded inbound for Siderar San Nicolas with iron ore on 10.38 metres draft grounded at Km 319 slightly downriver from Ramallo Bunge installation. The vessel has since refloated, but the CoastGuard have interrupted navigation through the area and are onboard performing surveys.
-mv LADY I remains grounded at Km 456.7 of the River Parana (slightly north of Terminal 6). She is being assisted on re-floating efforts by tugs BRUTUS and COOPOR ESTIBADOR I.
-Tally as we close tonight March 19th, 128 cases nationwide/3 deaths.

Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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