Upriver 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 Holidays: Monday August 17th, San Martin day.
Covid-19: The Greater Buenos Aires area is now moving into day number 150 of quarantine. Most restrictions remain, nominally, in force for local movement. Borders remain closed, International and local travel is suspended. There were hopes that a small amount of flights would be allowed by early September but this will not happen for the foreseeable future. Crew changes are not possible in Argentina.
Upriver draft: The amount of water in the River Parana is now diminishing strongly. For the coming days the “help” from meteorological conditions will not assist as strong North winds are forecast and no back-up effect from tide build up from the River Plate can be counted upon. There is virtually no rain in the River Parana catchment area and medium terms rain forecasts are not encouraging. Weather forecasts from both Brazil and Argentina are not encouraging. But then again these are forecasts and they can be mistaken. Please follow our daily draft report.
Svitzer Argentina: It was announced August 13th that Svitzer has now taken complete control of Madero Amarres S.A., the company under whose name they operated in Argentina. There was a minority stake of about 20 per cent held by another partner and this has been bought out by Svitzer. Svitzer operate in Buenos Aires, Necochea and Bahia Blanca. They also offer service at Upriver ports.
Discharge of Scrubbers in Argentina: A regulation was issued by the Argentine CoastGuard (PNA) that forbids the discharge of washing waters from scrubbers of National and Foreign vessels in Argentine waters detailed as:
*Internal Jurisdictional Waters (including River Parana, River Uruguay and River Plate)
*Territorial Waters (12 mile limit)
*Extended Territorial waters (24 mile limit)
*Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone (200 mile limit)
In order that the limits be properly explained we attach below a map, issued by the Government which explains the contour of the area covered by the regulation which colored light blue.
Special care will have to be taken by vessels transiting the area, especially those on the open sea when proceeding southbound from Recalada to the Pacific and vice versa.
Export licenses: Export licenses were granted on Friday August 14th for 62,600 metric tons of soymeal and 21,000 metric tons of soybeans.
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.
San Lorenzo: Cargill Quebracho berth will be closed for maintenance between August 20th and August 23rd.
Arroyo Seco-Lagos/Dreyfus berths: The CoastGuard have issued a regulation, valid as from August 06th, that the maximum sailing draft for both Dreyfus berths, Dry and Liquid, is to be calculated according to the following formula: 9.20 meters Depth Plus Average River level of Rosario and Villa Constitución Minus 0.60 meters under keel clearance.
For today, August 16th it is: 8.85 meters (29 feet 00 inches FW)
Recalada: Recalada closes often due to swell, fog and high winds.
Necochea: The port closed on August 15th at 1135 hours due to swell and high winds.
Bahia Blanca: Pilotage service was suspended twice during the day today, August 16th due to strong winds and swell. At the time of sending this mail it has been reestablished.
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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