February 07th 2021
Argentina & Brazil Maritime Traffic
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, February 15th and Tuesday, 16th, Carnival Holidays.
San Lorenzo, Cargill Quebracho berth: The maintenance at this berth has been re-scheduled for the following periods: As from Tuesday, February 09th until Tuesday, February 23rd 2021 and from March 08th until March 14th 2021. During these periods the berth will not be loading vessels.
Argentina/Brazil Maritime Traffic: The treaty that governed maritime traffic between Argentina and Brazil was denounced (voided) by the Brazilian government. Due to this, as from February 05th 2022 (in one year’s time) maritime traffic between Argentina and Brazil will be open to all vessels. This means that, unless something changes during that period, it will be no longer necessary to obtain “flag waivers” for cargo loaded between the two countries. Up until now the only cargoes exempted from this requirement were wheat, crude petroleum and iron ore. As from February 05th 2022 all cargoes will be open to all vessels. Further details will be available during the coming days.
Truckers Strike: Road pickets remain in place at Bahia Blanca and Necochea. This means that the situation remain unchanged. Necochea and Bahia Blanca discharge areas which are centralized remain blocked by pickets and trucks cannot enter. Upriver the unrest remains and there were some attempts to set up pickets in the Far North of Upriver (Timbues) but the police dispersed them. Since each port at Upriver has it’s own independent entry the logistics of picketing every port’s entry are much more complicated than in Bahia Blanca and Necochea, also the police in the Province of Santa Fe have orders to disperse the pickets and they have done so. In Upriver no shipments have been delayed. Nevertheless some ports and some factories have reported a small fall in the delivery of cargo. The earlier optimism that a political solution would be found is no longer around. On Friday 05th the National Government increased the referential values for road transport, but until this moment this has had no effect on the pickets at Necochea and Bahia Blanca.
River Parana Draft: The rains in South Eastern Brazil are still ongoing and a conservative forecast now sees a sustained growth of the volume of water in the River for this month (February). Over the last few days there has been a strong storm at the mouth of the River Plate and central South Atlantic which has assisted the draft by closing the outflow of water. Both factors have changed the overall mood and the draft is expected to be in the range of 10 to 10.3 meters with all consequent benefits.
Oil Spill Response at Zona Comun: Once again a group of people are pressuring Owners to take coverage for Oil Spill Response on vessels taking bunkers at Zona Comun. The bunker suppliers and the bunker barge Owners were able to prove to the local CoastGuard Station (PNA La Plata) that present arrangements in place were satisfactory. We draw your attention to this so that bunker suppliers absorb any related expense within the sales contract.
Crew changes Argentina: The borders remain closed and crew changes are not permitted. Internal flights are functioning again but the borders remain closed for crew changes. These restrictive practices are causing problems to vessels calling in Argentina and undue inconveniences to the crews. Local entities and associations are pressuring for resumption of this “normal” activity.
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.
Crew changes Chile: Chilean colleagues have supplied us with the following detail to proceed for crew changes in Chile:
Kindly note a protocol has been issued to allow crew changes while our borders are still closed for non Chilean citizens, here you will find requiring points to be complied with:
OFF SIGNERS
Authorities are allowing for crew members to disembark and take their flights from Chile to their final destinations with following conditions:
• Providing all information about the intended disembarking to the Health, Maritime, Migration Authorities via Agency at least 72 hours in advance including names, citizenship, passport number, name of vessel, and full repatriation flight schedule (attached file with data requested).
• Completing a 14 days quarantine period on board in good health condition since the vessel sailed from the last foreign port prior to disembarking in Chile.
• Submitting the on-line affidavit for travelers to prevent Coronavirus diseases (attached).
• Not presenting any symptoms of COVID19 (Health Service may order a health check at any time)
• Moving directly from the disembarking port to the airport or designated sanitary residence (in case 14 days of quarantine not completed). Max. period permitted in the hotel is 5 days.
• Wearing personal health protection items such as face mask, face shield, gloves and hand sanitizer while in our country.
ON SIGNERS
Before trip
We need to send to Ministry of Transport a few points (attached file with data requested).
Once received and double checked, they will send the approval to Consulate where joiner will come from.
The crew member must going personally to the respective Consulate, for taking a picture, fingerprint.
If all going well, the consulate will notify to Immigration, Health Service and sanitary borders, that crew member can travel and get in to Chilean territory.
Along with this a safe-conduct document will be provided. This document will be mandatory and must be presented on arrival to Chile.
IMPORTANT: Only crew members who does not require Chilean visa to come to Chile can apply to safe-conduct.
Once arrived to Chile.
At any time, must wear facial mask and carry own protective items for COVID-19
Immigration would check that all documents are in order, if so, will be provided the SHORE PASS (crew member immigration card).
The Health Inspector will make an evaluation of crew health, if do not have any symptom of COVID 19, her entry will be granted.
In case to have any symptom or to result positive in the preliminary Covid test, would be isolated and the entry would be denied.
Transportation from International airport to the port must be exclusive. So, domestic flights are not permitted and either intercity buses service (commercial).
Also important for both, on signers and off signers, is to have tentative flight schedule (complete route), this is necessary to start formalities with authorities.
We estimate about 5-7 business days to complete formalities.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
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