River Parana Draft
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, October 12th.
River Parana Draft: There has been an increase in the maximum sailing draft from Upriver over the last few days. Certainly good news for any vessels sailing from Upriver ports. Nevertheless this improvement of the sailing draft will be short lived. It has been caused by southerly winds over the Atlantic which backed up the ocean and the River Plate and increased the water level in the River. The more mid and longer term fore casts remain pessimistic due to the lack of rainfall in the catchment areas in Southern East Brazil and Eastern Paraguay. Reports issued by the National Water Institute still talk about the severe drought affecting not only the River level but also the harvest for the forth coming summer.
Crew changes Argentina: The borders remain closed and crew changes are not permitted. There is talk at the moment that flights in and out of Argentina may be allowed as from early October. Soonest we have news on this we will advise you.
Crew changes Uruguay: On and Off signing crew are allowed entry into the country under very strict restrictions. On signers must have a prior negative Covid 19 test 72 hours prior being allowed entry. Crew members boarding are not allowed to stop at any stage between landing at the airport (Montevideo) and boarding the vessel. Once onboard the vessel they must comply with a 14 day quarantine onboard before being allowed to work. Departing crew must proceed directly from the vessel to the airport. Considering that there are at the moment few international flights these requirements make it very difficult for crew members to enter or leave the country. Additionally to this before a boarding crew member is allowed permit of entry the agreement of Sanitary Authority, Immigration and CoastGuard must be obtained.
The best way of achieving a successful crew change at Uruguay is to have the vessel do this OUTBOUND at Recalada/Montevideo anchorage when the vessel’s schedule is not bound so much by weather and port congestions.
Recalada: Recalada closes often due to swell, fog and high winds.
Necochea: The port closed on Saturday, August 29th at 1640 hours due to strong winds and high swell.
Necochea: All vessels arriving must comply with a 14 day quarantine. The 14 days are counted from the date of departure from the last port of call.
Bahia Blanca: Pilotage service is suspended for short periods of time due to bad weather.
Bahia Blanca is imposing a 14 day quarantine on arriving vessels. This quarantine can be excepted if the terminal where the vessel will load produces proof that an earlier berthing is required. Also an agreement with the stevedores union that adequate precautionary measures will be taken to satisfy the workers attending onboard so as to avoid contagion.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
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