January 18th 2022
Covid-19 in Argentina
National Holidays: Monday, February 28th and Tuesday March 01st, Carnival
Tugboat service: Tug boats remain under mandatory truce imposed by the Ministry of Labor since December 21st. At this moment, January 18th, they are working although the truce was to have expired. Apparently negotiations remain ongoing. We will keep you posted.
River Parana Draft: The River Parana draft has bounced back thanks to a tidal surge in the River Plate. This improvement in the draft is not expected to last more than two or three days after which the water level will return to low levels. Rainfall in the catchment areas remains very low. We strongly urge you to follow our DAILY DRAFT REPORT for updated news.
Covid-19 in Argentina: Reported Covid cases are now beginning to drop. Today’s figure was 139,853 new cases, a slight drop on yesterday. Contagion seems to have peaked. The amount of infected people in the population remains high and there are effects on the work force for the moment. Some sectors of business activity remain hampered by lack of staff.
Flag waiver Arg-Brazil: As we have informed previously the requirement for flag waivers on cargoes carried on trade between Argentina and Brazil (and vice versa) should be lifted as from February 05th 2022. This was needed because of an agreement/treaty in place since the mid-80s. Middle of 2021 year the Brazilian Government denounced this treaty and as per the terms agreed it will be lifted as of February 05th 2022. In the meantime the “affected” parties have been placing pressure and looking for manners to keep their privileges. Due to this pressure it may result that there will be some and possible regulatory backlash prior to February 2022. We shall keep you posted on developments.
Crew changes in Argentina: Restrictions have placed on all persons travelling who originate or transit via Africa due to the detection of the “Omicron” variety of Covid-19.
This is still an ongoing and developing situation.
Incoming crew are now allowed to join vessels provided the proper Visa and Sanitary arrangements are made at origin principally as per below:
*Visas are issued prior entry at the corresponding Argentine Consulate for nationalities required.
The list of nationalities that require visas is available at: this link
*Full vaccination performed at least 14 days prior entry to Argentina
*Negative PCR test performed 72 hours prior first boarding
*Antigen test performed upon arrival at “safe entry corridor” point (for example Buenos Aires Airport Ezeiza)
If, in case the boarding crew member does not have full vaccination (minimum 2 doses) before boarding then the person must be kept in quarantine for 7 days and may only leave this quarantine once a negative PCR test is performed.
Crew are allowed to leave vessels on Sanitary grounds. This is understood to be with a medical certificate, issued in Argentina, that certifies the crew member is “unfit for duty onboard”. One reason considered to be “unfit for duty onboard” is in case that due to “severe distress” the crew member cannot perform his duties. Another reason is in case the crew member has an expired work contract and can prove to Sanitary Authority that he cannot wait for the vessel’s next port of call.
PLEASE CONSULT US PRIOR COMMENCING PROCEDURES.
Crew changes made at foreign port/s 14 days prior arrival at Argentine ports: Besides many other documents and certificates, these below are of special concern:
-Owner’s Crew changes protocol at foreign countries].
-Owner’s note (with signature and stamp of the Captain and Owners company) clarifying that the crew change was carried out taking all due precautions, etc.
-Medical certificate issued by certified professional in the country where the crew joined, not the country of origin.
-Covid test, PCR, for on-signers at port of boarding (not country of origin).
Lacking any of above (besides all usual documents) pilots will not be allowed to board until a 14 day period is counted starting from the moment the last crew-member has boarded.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
For more information