March 27th – River Parana Draft


March 27th 2022

River Parana Draft

National Holidays: Easter week-end, Thursday April 14th, Friday April 15th.

Bahia Blanca strike:

The strike in Bahia Blanca finished on Saturday 26th at midday. Operations have returned to normal.


River Parana Draft:

INA (National Water Institute) have issued a revised forecast for the River Parana over the coming two months (into end May 2022). Please see the attachment. This forecast show the arrival of a short term small surge during the 2nd week of April and after that a less dramatic fall in the River level. The expectation is for an average draft ranging between 9 and 9.3 meters at San Lorenzo. It must also be considered that we are now moving in to the Southern Hemisphere autumn and that the weather conditions will affect the water level on the River more strongly.

Grains and Markets:

Demand for maize is increasing steadily. The 2022 maize harvest in Argentina is forecast to be 51 million tons. Of this 18.8 million tons are already sold, but of this 1.3 million were sold during the second week of August. This situation has come about due to the ongoing hostilities in the Black Sea area. The market expects that the situation will be ongoing and that the harvest from area will be delayed and lower than originally forecast.

Closure of Soyabean meal and Soyabean oil exports:

The Government have now re-opened the register for soyabean meal and soya oil export permits. This was done after a 2 per cent increase of the export tax levied on these commodities.

Bunkers in Argentina:

The bunker supplies at Zona Comun remain restricted. The PAE refining plant at Campana is extending it’s closure for a further week for scheduled maintenance and will not renew its usual production flow until mid-April. Heavy fuels (VLSFO) remain in very low supply. This refinery supplies approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the market demand. Crude remain volatile due to hostilities in the Black Sea area and local bunker prices accompany that trend.

ACA Berth, San Lorenzo:

The ACA berth in San Lorenzo is limited to maximum 180 meters LOA due to a navigation accident during late February. Although work is underway to repair the damage it is not yet known when this expected to conclude.

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, and has expired so traffic is free for any other flagged vessel.

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.

At this time the only place that can used for boarding crew is Ushuaia. This port is considered a “safe corridor” and the regulations have been designed principally for the cruise ships that may call.

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.

Will keep you posted.

Best regards,

For more information

Local News