May 31st – Bahia Blanca


May 31st 2022

Bahia Blanca – Five Year Plan


National Holidays: June 17th and June 20th (extra-long weekend)

River Parana Draft Forecast as per INA Report basis shallowest points reported May 27th:

San Lorenzo’s shallowest point now located at BORGHI/BELLA VISTA 447,1 depth of 9 M at Zero datum
Rosario’s shallowest point now located at Alvear 404,3 depth of 9,2M at Zero datum
San Nicolas’ shallowest point now located at Arriba Obligado 311,6 depth of 9,9M at Zero datum


A small surge will be occurring during the second half of June that will be making the maximum sailing draft from Rosario and San Lorenzo be equal to San Nicolas.

Bahia Blanca – Five Year Plan:

The port of Bahia Blanca has announced plans to invest about 100 million dollars in improvements over the coming five years. The main investments will be for energy projects. One is for a total overhaul of all the berths that handle distilled petroleum products known as “Posta de Inflamables”. The other large investment is to provide land and berthing facilities for a proposed LNG concentration and storage farm. This would be part of the “Master Plan” that State Owned YPF is working on to use the large Gas Field known as Vaca Muerta along the foot hills of the Andes for LNG exports.

Argentine Offshore prospecting and production:
Pressure groups are making themselves felt both in favor and against off-shore oil, but mainly gas, prospecting. The exploration and eventual exploitation of these off-shore resources is getting groups together to either object or else support the prospecting off-shore. Production prospects are optimistic, and the bidders of the areas have asked for extensions of their permits into 2024. The total area covers approximately 15,000 square kilometers.
The ports that are bidding to be home to the servicing are Mar del Plata and Bahia Blanca.

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.

Bahia Blanca stevedores:
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.

For more information

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