May 19th – Argentine Offshore oil exploration


May 19th 2022

Argentine Offshore oil exploration

ANTARES: We attach to this News a flyer with the full detail of all our staff and offices for your ready reference.

Week end duty staff:

– HQ Buenos Aires:

Manuel Garcia Claveria +54 9 11 5578 4559

German Andres Stoppo +54 9 11 6434 1673

– Upriver:

Sebastian Ferrara +54 9 11 3156 1679

Franco Ostoic +54 9 11 6656 1678

Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680


National Holidays: May 25th, May Revolution Day.

River Parana Draft Forecast as per INA Report:

San Lorenzo’s shallowest point now located at EP. BORGHI/BELLA VISTA 447,2 depth of 9.2 M at Zero datum
Rosario’s shallowest point now located at Emp Alvear/Canal Muelles Ros 410.3 depth of 9.4M at Zero datum
San Nicolas’ shallowest point now located at Las Hermanas 324,8 depth of 9,6M at Zero datum


There are no surges forecast for the coming months. River levels are expected to drop to 9.7/9.8 meters from Upriver ports. We are returning to a scenario where San Lorenzo, Rosario, and San Nicolás will have differing maximum sailing drafts.

Grains and Markets:

Colombia in the meal for a Handymax of soya meal in September, and Morocco a little earlier looking for same volume but August laydays.

Indonesia maintains it’s export ban on palm oil which increases chances for ECSA soya and sunflower seed exports (and freight!).

Demand for maize seed is said to be soaring to produce a record sowing in the coming 2022/2023 season.

According to an update from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange the soya bean harvest is now 77 per cent completed. The overall harvest is now expected to total out at 42 million tons.

Argentine Offshore oil exploration:

At the request of bidders YPF, Shell and Equinore the Government has extended permits for offshore exploration through 2024. The area where the permits have been granted are distant about 300 nm off a strip running between Mar del Plata and down south past Bahia Blanca. The total area covers approximately 15,000 square kilometers.

Pilotage tariffs increase recap 2022:
As from February 1st, River Plate Pilots announced an increase of about 5% on transportation expenses (ground and boat services).
As from May 1st, Parana River Pilots announced an increase of about 5% on transportation expenses (ground and boat services).
As from May 1st, Port Pilots have announced an increase of about 17% on transportation expenses (ground and boat services).
Additionally Port pilots have now “interpreted” the regulations in the same light as other pilots, and they will start charging for dropping and weighing anchors. These additional “maneuvers”, when they take place, will involve extra charges of (usd 14 x vessel’s FU ((LOA x BEAM x DEPTH)/800)), about USD 2,000.00 for Supramax vessels and USD 2,500.00 for Panamax vessels. While port pilots will start applying it this year, River Plate and Parana River Pilots have been charging additional maneuvers for several years already.

GMO wheat exports:
Producers, transport, and exporters are placing very strict controls so that none of the genetically modified HB4 variety of wheat is shipped in exports from Argentina. The idea is that this could severely damage the commercial possibilities of the whole wheat industry. This policy is being led by CIARA-CEC, the grain and oil producing association.

Bahia Blanca stevedores:
Stevedores are stopping work for one to two hours during each six-hour shift in protest claiming a Covid-19 bonus. This action has now been ongoing for a few weeks.

ARGENTINA – Crew changes:
Regulations for Crew Changes are being relaxed in almost all major Ports (except Necochea),

ANTARES: We attach to this News a but for Nationals(*) needing VISA

the process is still quite long.

Process for Crew Change:

1.Joining and departing crew must have full vaccination scheme completed (two doses) 48 hours prior joining or departing vessel.
2.A sworn statement must be signed.
3.Joining and departing crew that do NOT have the full vaccination scheme must have an antigen test performed not more than 48 hours prior or a PCR test not more than 72 hours prior joining or departing the vessel.
4.Requests for visas to be issued at Consulates must be presented to Immigration offices, via Agents.
5.Disembarking crew will need to have a Covid health insurance that covers them for about one year in case the crew member is detected as infected after leaving the vessel and prior to leaving the country.

Estimated Time for On Signers without needing VISA: 5/7 (five/seven) days
Estimated Time for On Signers needing VISA: 10 (ten) days
Estimated Time for Off Signers: 5 (five) days

PLEASE CONTACT US PRIOR COMMENCING PROCEDURES.

(*) Passport Required VISA Full List

Will keep you posted.

Best regards,

Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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