February 27th 2022
River Parana Draft
National Holidays: Monday, February 28th and Tuesday March 01st, Carnival
Grounding mv BAHRI GRAIN at San Lorenzo
On Friday 25th late night 23:30 hours the mv BAHRI GRAIN sailed from Cargill Quebracho berth and grounded at about 23:30 hours shortly south of the berth.
The vessel’s grounding position did not obstruct navigation at any time.
On Saturday 26th, approximately 1800 the vessel freed from her grounding with the assistance of the tugs TUMBADOR I and DIAGUITA. She remained at San Lorenzo Roads where the CoastGuard performed surveys until she was released Sunday 27th at about 0830 hours and she is now sailing downriver to her completion port Bahia Blanca. The vessel is reported to be loaded with about 37,500 metric tons of maize, bound for Saudi Arabia.
River Parana Draft:
We attach the River Paraná long term forecast. A small surge is expected towards the end of March. Nevertheless, the drought in the River Parana catchment areas remains and there are no expectations of recovery of water levels in the short term.
Grain and Markets from Argentina:
Markets have been very quite in view of ongoing events in the Black Sea. Argentina has just completed harvesting a record wheat crop and a good sunflower seed crop is expected also. Both are commodities exported from Black Sea ports and prices are expected to be volatile over the near future.
Bahia Blanca labor conflicts:
The stevedore union in Bahia Blanca continues protests by stopping work for one hour each shift. The stevedores are wanting a wage increase and a bonus to be paid for work during Covid-19 pandemic.
Argentina-Brazil Flag Waiver:
As from Saturday February 05th the requirement for flag-waivers on traffic between Argentina and Brazil has been lifted. Previously all traffic between the two countries had required either Argentine or Brazilian flag vessels. In case a third flagged vessel was used a waiver had to be obtained. The agreement or treaty that regulated this was not renewed by the Brazilian Government, has expired and traffic is free for any flag vessel.
Bunkers in Argentina:
The bunker supply situation is tight. The PAE refining plant at Campana is closed for scheduled maintenance and will not renew production flow until mid-March. Heavy fuels (VLSFO) are in very low supply. This refinery supplies approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the market demand.
Crew changes in Argentina:
Crew will only be allowed to disembark when a serious medical issue occurs.
In such a case a medical board will evaluate the situation and decide.
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.
We shall keep you posted.
Best regards,
For more information