November 25th 2021
Upriver draft restrictions-Argentina’s Atlantic Ports
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.
ANTARES: We attach to this News a flyer with the full detail of all our staff for your ready reference. Both for our office in Buenos Aires and for San Lorenzo (Upriver).
Week end duty staff: (Friday noon, November 26th, until Monday November 29th 0800 hrs)
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Gastón Cabrera +54 9 11 5578 4559
Manuel García Claveria +54 9 11 5578 4558
– Upriver:
Sebastián José Ferrara +54 9 11 3156 1679
Franco Gabriel Ostojic +54 9 11 6656 1678
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holiday: Wednesday, December 08th, 2021
Draft Upriver: For the first time in a long time, the official forecast issued by INA (National Water Institute) is that the water level in the River Paraná will be stable for the foreseeable future at levels that are being registered today. There has been rain along the catchment areas of the River Paraguay in South Brazil and Eastern Paraguay over the last two weeks.
Crew changes in Argentina: Slowly restrictions are being lifted for crew changes in Argentina. Incoming crew are now allowed to join vessels provided the proper Visa and Sanitary arrangements are made at origin:
*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.
Tugboat services in Bahia Blanca and Necochea: Today, November 25th is Seaman’s Day in Argentina. Given the unrest between Unions and TugBoat Owners the Union decided to take the day off. At the ports of Bahia Blanca and Necochea no services were rendered.
Grains-Turkey: The Turkish Government Purchasing Agency has gone on the market and purchased 325 thousand tons of feed barley to be shipped as from January. Some of this is expected to be ECSA origin. This is due to the very strong drought over the Northern Hemisphere Summer. Further purchases of HSS are expected over the coming months.
Upriver draft restrictions-Argentina’s Atlantic Ports: As the year starts to wind up the statistics show that the draft restrictions on the River Parana have caused vessel’s completing at Necochea to increase their lift (based on Panamax size). Prior to draft restrictions the average completion quantity at Bahia Blanca or Necochea used to be 21.5 thousand tons, now they average completion quantity averages 27.7 thousand tons, principally maize.
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.
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