April 19th 2024
Grounding mv VELA STAR Mitre Canal
ANTARES: We attach to this News a flyer with the full detail of all our staff and offices for your ready reference.
Weekend duty staff: (Friday April 19th, until Monday April 22nd, 2024 0800 hrs.)
HQ Buenos Aires:
Nicolás Fichi +54 9 11 5578 4559
Leandro Vinchi +54 9 11 3597 6759
Upriver:
Omar Mangiaterra +54 9 11 3156 1681
Lautaro Alvarez +54 9 11 6656 1678
Fernando Marini +54 9 11 2645 0537
Tomas H. Noguera +54 9 11 6434 1674
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holidays:
May 01st, Labor Day
Grains and Markets:
Egypt’s GASC has bought 120,000 tons of Ukraine wheat on May dates from LDC.
South Korea’s MFG bought 68,000 tons of maize from Cargill, late June, US/ECSA/SAfrica origin.
South Korea’s NOFI bought 68,000 tons of maize from Bunge, late June, US/ECSA origin.
South Korea’s KFA bought 70,000 tons of maize from Mitsui, late June, US/ECSA origin.
Tunisians are in the market for a full Supramax/Ultramax of soya beans in May.
Grounding mv VELA STAR Mitre Canal:
The Panamax mv VELA STAR grounded at Km 12 of the Mitre Canal yesterday at 19:30 hours.
She was on a draft of 10.13 meters, proceeding from ACA San Lorenzo with about 40,000 tons of maize, bound for completion at Bahia Blanca, final destination SArabia.
She was freed from grounding with tugboat assistance at 01:25 hours, and navigation through the area was resumed at 07:30 hours.
Reason for the grounding is not reported yet.
Km 12 is a critical area as it is the junction of the Mitre Canal, and the Buenos Aires North and South Access canals which lead on to Zona Comun.
Originally the harvest volume had been estimated at 56,000,000 tons.
Estimates by various surveys have reduced the volume to between 53,000,000 tons and 50,200,000 tons in the most pessimistic views.
The soya bean harvest (also underway) is still estimated at 51,000,000 tons to which may be added 10,250,000 tons from Paraguay.
Soya beans are mostly dedicated to export, unlike maize which has a strong local demand, and soya beans are mainly processed for oil and meal exports.
LNG plant YPF-Petronas:
YPF’s President has now confirmed that the LNG plant will be installed at Punta Colorada, of the NE Patagonia coast and will start production, and exports during 2026.
Gas for the plant will be sent through a pipeline from the NW Patagonia gas fields at Vaca Muerta.
Initially the LNG will be exported via a floating concentration installation, and according to today’s plan the land installation will be ready by 2031.
Total volume to be exported is estimated to be 120,000,000 cubic meters per annum.
STS BUNKER AT ZONA COMUN FOR NEXT DAYS:
As always, the STS operation is up to the discretion of the Masters of the vessels involved.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
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