Hidrovia River Parana & River Paraguay
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 Holidays: Next National Holiday, Monday, October 12th.
Hidrovia River Parana/River Paraguay: The tender for renewing, or replacing, the waterway dredging and buoying between Recalada and Puerto Caceres (Bolivia) is due March 2021. The tender is for dredging from Recalada up to Santa Fe and buoying from Recalada to Puerto Caceres in Bolivia. The first tender was awarded to a consortium led by Jan de Nul in 1995 and they are interested in renewing for a new period. Additionally Shanghai Dredging are interested to offer for the upcoming tender. Meantime, the National Government have decided to set up a National Entity called Hidrovia to oversee the maintenance and administration of the waterway and to draw up the plans for implementing the tender and the administration of the contract. There is still no news as to the characteristics of the improvements on the Canal.
ACA Timbues: The mv HAKATA QUEEN is expected to complete loading operations at ACA Timbues tomorrow Wednesday September 09th am. The loading has progressed well and no major problems were encountered.
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River Parana Draft: The water level forecast until mid-November 2020 has been issued by the National Water Institute. It is encouraging to see that the according to their forecast the water level on the Parana will begin returning to better levels by mid spring. As a guidance parameter, the lowest level of the River Parana, measured at Rosario was 0.60 meters.
Maize: There are rumors in the market that severe weather in China has damaged their maize crop and that imports of this commodity may have to be doubled. The imports of maize into the EU are also expected to be strong and the import duties are still at zero.
Open loop scrubbers: The San Lorenzo Coast Guard have instructed that all vessels equipped with open loop scrubbers arriving in their jurisdiction be reported to them prior arrival.
Crew changes Argentina: The borders remain closed and crew changes are not permitted. There is talk at the moment that flights in and out of Argentina may be allowed as from early October. Soonest we have news on this we will advise you.
Crew changes Uruguay: On and Off signing crew are allowed entry into the country under very strict restrictions. On signers must have a prior negative Covid 19 test 72 hours prior being allowed entry. Crew members boarding are not allowed to stop at any stage between landing at the airport (Montevideo) and boarding the vessel. Once onboard the vessel they must comply with a 14 day quarantine onboard before being allowed to work. Departing crew must proceed directly from the vessel to the airport. Considering that there are at the moment few international flights these requirements make it very difficult for crew members to enter or leave the country. Additionally to this before a boarding crew member is allowed permit of entry the agreement of Sanitary Authority, Immigration and CoastGuard must be obtained.
The best way of achieving a successful crew change at Uruguay is to have the vessel do this OUTBOUND at Recalada/Montevideo anchorage when the vessel’s schedule is not bound so much by weather and port congestions.
Recalada: Recalada, and Zona Comun have closed due to swell, fog and high winds.
Necochea: The port has been open since September 03rd at 0730 hours. It had last closed on Saturday, August 29th at 1640 hours.
Necochea: All vessels arriving must comply with a 14 day quarantine. The 14 days are counted from the date of departure from the last foreign port of call, regardless of having Free Practique issued at a previous port of call in Argentina within the 14 day period.
Bahia Blanca: Pilotage service is suspended for short periods of time due to bad weather.
Bahia Blanca is imposing a 14 day quarantine on arriving vessels. This quarantine can be excepted if the terminal where the vessel will load produces proof that an earlier berthing is required. Also an agreement with the stevedores union that adequate precautionary measures will be taken to satisfy the workers attending onboard so as to avoid contagion.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
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