January 05th 2021
Strikes in Argentina
*** WISHING ALL OUR FRIENDS AND READERS OF THE CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX FAITH A MERRY CHRISTMAS ***
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: February 15th and 16th, Carnival Holiday
Strikes in Argentina: The strikes continue. The tugboat crews held meetings yesterday with management but no agreement was reached. Today, Tuesday 5th, there was expectation that the Government would step in and force the parties to come closer to an agreement but that has not yet happened. There is also the strike by the Grain Surveyor’s Union which remains ongoing and shows little in the way of efforts to find a solution.
Renova – Working. Vessel alongside
LDC Timbues – Working. Vessel alongside
Cofco – Working. Vessel alongside
ACA Timbues – Working. Vessel alongside
AGD Timbues – Not working. Berth free. Affected by Grain Surveyor’s strike.
Profertil – Working. Berth free
Minera Alumbrera – Working. Vessel alongside
Terminal 6 – Working. Vessel alongside
Arauco – Working. Berth free
Quebracho – Working. Vessel alongside
TFA – Working. Berth free
Cofco PGSM – Working. Vessel alongside. AFFECTED BY SOMU STRIKE.
ADM PGSM – Working. Berth free. AFFECTED BY SOMU STRIKE.
Pampa – Working. Vessel alongside. AFFECTED BY SOMU STRIKE.
Dempa – Working. Vessel alongside. AFFECTED BY SOMU STRIKE.
ACA – Working. Vessel alongside.
Nouryon – Working. Berth free
Vicentin – Working. Vessel alongside
San Benito – Working. Vessel alongside
TPR – Working. Vessel alongside
Unidad 6 y 7 – Working. Vessel alongside
Cargill VGG – Working. Vessel alongside
Cargill Punta Alvear – Not working. Vessel alongside. Affected by Grain Surveyor’s Union strike.
Ldc Lagos – Working- Vessel alongside
ADM Arroyo Seco – Working. Vessel alongside
Pilot fees: As from beginning of January 2021 pilotage fees are increasing as per the detail.
River Plate Pilots
22-09-2020 – Informed.
01-10-2020 – Valid from.
– 23.5% Increase – Shore Transportation Costs.
– Additional Maneuvers / Services
– Dropping/Heaving Anchors maneuvers at usd 14 x FU each. (already being applied)
Parana River Pilots
17-12-2020 – Informed.
01-01-2021 – Valid from.
– 22.5% Increase – Shore Transportation Costs.
– Additional Maneuvers / Services –
– Dropping/Heaving Anchors maneuvers at usd 14 x FU each. (new)
Port Pilots
28-01-2020 – Informed.
15-01-2021 – Valid from.
– 33.5% Increase – Shore Transportation Costs.
– Additional Maneuvers / Services
– Extended Navigation / Turning w/o Tug Assistance Maneuvers at usd 14 x FU each. (new)
Farmers unrest: As per previous reports the farmers are starting to talk about protests regarding some Government measures that they feel, rightly, are interfering in the carrying out of their daily business. Such as the closure of maize export registry. The talk is of a lockdown on sales of grains for 72 hours.
Crew changes Argentina: The borders remain closed and crew changes are not permitted. Despite earlier optimism plans to restart internal flights as from October 01st have been postponed until further notice. On this basis it is difficult to be optimistic regarding the opening of the border restrictions and regular international flights within the coming weeks. The Immigration Department have reviewed the situation, but for the moment there will be no changes.
New Phytosanitary Requirements/Asian Gypsy Moth: SENASA, the Phytosanitary Authority in Argentina has issued a new requirement for vessels that have called at ports in: Russian Pacific, all Chinese Ports, Korea, Japanese within the last 24 months (Please see attachment). After the ports of call are reported to SENASA they will then ask for details of the period called and evaluate the situation. If the vessel has called during the period detailed in the attachment either an inspection or a certificate will be required. It is yet to be seen how this will be implemented. The enforcement of these inspections will now be postponed until late April. We shall keep you updated.
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.
For more information