June 05th 2022
New River Plate Access Canal
National Holidays: June 17th and June 20th (extra-long weekend)
VERY IMPORTANT
Further surveys performed on the River now establish a new determinant for northern berths at Rosario (TPR, Unit VI/VII, Cargill VGG and Cargill Punta Alvear) with a depth of 9.20 for that area at Zero datum. Meantime a dredger is working at the shallow area of Km 450.4 in San Lorenzo.
River Parana Draft Forecast as per INA Report basis shallowest points reported June 04th:
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. After this finishes the level of water in the river is forecast to recede. Levels are not as expected to be as low as during 2021. The shallow area at the present time is located at Paraguayo (Km 387.6) where 8.80 meters at Zero datum has been registered. The River Channell Authority has not yet informed when this area will be dredged.
Repatriating, disembarking, returning crewmembers:
We take the opportunity to remind Crew Departments that recently there have been difficult situations when returning/repatriating crew have had trouble boarding or been refused by airlines at the airport due to insufficient or missing health certificates. Authorities at destination countries are often requiring Covid free tests that must be performed prior boarding.
Grains and Markets:
Export licenses were booked for large amounts of maize over the last days. Cofco has booked 400,000 tons.
The Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are in the market to buy full Handy maxes of maize for September dates.
GMO Wheat:
Despite all the noise and fuss about the GMO wheat earlier this year it now is announced that tests are being conducted on Bioceres HB4 variety in Brazil with a view to allowing it’s import. This variety has already been approved by Australia and New Zealand for use in production of foods. What makes this variety interesting is that it can be sown in areas where there is less rainfall than usual wheat growing areas.
Canal Magdalena, new River Plate Access Canal:
Plans are going ahead on the Canal Magdalena Project. This Canal will be a new “entry point” to the River Plate as an alternative to Recalada. The Canal will start south of today’s Recalada, closer to the Argentine shore of the River Plate. The benefits of the project are closer access for vessels proceeding to and from Southern Atlantic ports and reportedly lower maintenance expenses as it is said to follow the natural flow of the River Plate. If this goes ahead there will also have to be a repositioning of the logistical shore services to a new base on the coast of Argentina.
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.
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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