May 25th – River Parana Draft Forecast


May 25th 2022

River Parana Draft Forecast

National Holidays: May 25th, May Revolution Day, June 17th, and June 20th.

VERY IMPORTANT

Today’s Daily Depth Report showed a new shallow point for upper San Lorenzo and Timbues’ terminals of only 8.70cm depth (50cm less than the previous day). Due to this, the maximum draft at San Lorenzo is reduced to 9.61m and it could be even less during the coming days.

River Parana Draft Forecast as per INA Report:

San Lorenzo’s shallowest point now located at BELLA VISTA 450,4 depth of 8,7 M at Zero datum
Rosario’s shallowest point now located at Emp Alvear/Canal Muelles Ros 410.3 depth of 9.4M at Zero datum
San Nicolas’ shallowest point now located at Arriba Obligado 311,6 depth of 9,9M at Zero datum

There are no surges forecast for the coming months. River levels are expected to drop to 9.7/9.8 meters from the lower Upriver ports. We are returning to a scenario where San Lorenzo, Rosario, and San Nicolás will have differing maximum sailing drafts.


Grains and Markets:

Israel is reported to be in the market for a soya meal handy with June shipment dates.
Egypt and Colombia are also looking for handy/handymax cargoes of maize during the same period. Kenya is also expected to be in the market (long term) for maize. Total volume of 540 thousand tons. Dates are still unreported.

Gas pipeline:

There has been a lot of publicity locally regarding the new gas pipeline from Vaca Muerta to the Parana River cities. But on the other hand, it is reported that the initial tenders for purchasing and installation have been postponed. This will doubtless bring on delays to the purchasing of the pipes proper which are normally imported and shipped on bulkers.


River Paraná/River Plate dredging and buoying:

The Government still manage the dredging and buoying of the River Parana and River Plate (as from Recalada) through a State entity called AGP S.E. This is the former Government Port Administration Company. They collect tolls and sub-contract the maintenance of the dredging and buoying of the River Parana and the River Plate. Since the contract with “Hidrovia S.A.” expired the dredging is being done by Jan de Nul and a local company performs maintenance of the buoying. In the meantime, AGP are organizing a shorter-term tender (approximately one year) for maintenance. They are also preparing the longer term (twenty year) tender, with new and improved specifications for the navigable waterway.

Additionally, to this there is 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 supposed benefits of the project are closer access for vessels proceeding from Southern Atlantic port 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.


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:
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.Prior boarding authorization must be obtained from the Sanitary Authority and afterwards from Immigration.
2.Joining and departing crew must have full vaccination scheme completed (two doses) 48 hours prior joining or departing vessel.
3.A sworn statement must be signed.
4.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.
5.Joiner/s must enter Argentina via a “designated safe corridor” (Buenos Aires International Airport).
6.Requests for visas to be issued at Consulates must be presented to Immigration offices, via Agents on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
7.Immigration will issue the requested visas three days after they were requested and deliver on Tuesday and Thursdays for forwarding to Consulates.
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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