October 17th – River Parana draft


October 17th 2021

River Parana draft

In view of the ongoing developing situation and different communications and instructions being issued by Sanitary Authorities of the Argentine Government we have chosen to send a consolidated daily report at the closing of working hours with an update of the day’s news.

National Holiday: Monday, November 22nd, 2021

Wheat 2021/2022: The wheat harvest for 2021/2022 is just beginning. Favorable weather conditions maintain the overall volume at 20 million tons. This is 3 million tons more than last harvest 2020/2021.

Crew changes in Argentina: The Government has announced that crew changes are to be allowed starting October 20th. Details have not yet been specified. Soonest this is available we shall report.

River Parana draft: The surge that had been announced at Upriver ports is arriving and is expected to last into early days November. This may amount to an temporary improvement of between 1 meter and 0.5 meters in the maximum permissible draft from Upriver ports. This is reflected in the short/medium term forecast prepared by INA (National Water Institute).


(*) Values already measured

We urge you to consult prior load completion of vessels bringing inbound cargoes to Upriver ports.

Bahia Blanca – Tug service: Tug boats are now working for 12 hours per day, every day. The 12 hour work period will be counted as from the first service of the day. After this period is finished there will be no further services during the next 12 hours. Necochea has been applying this procedure for the last few years. This is due to a wage dispute between crews and tug boat owners.

Scrubbers. The restriction to use open-loop scrubbers was regulated/prohibited on Aug 2020 (Disp 15/2020), but shortly afterward the application of this regulation was ‘suspended’ by the authority (Disp 20/2020). Therefore, at present time no specific regulation/restriction applies regarding the use of scrubbers in Argentina waterways, at least, until further notice. Besides scrubbers, any other wash water discharge is strictly forbidden in riverway and seaports and to be carried out as per MARPOL Annex V.

Crew changes made at previous port/s 14 days prior arrival in 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,

Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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