Upriver Terminals
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 August 17th, San Martin day.
Covid-19: The National Government has today announced a “relaxing” of the Quarantine for Buenos Aires and the Greater Buenos Aires area. This will be gradual relaxation , staged over a period that is aimed to bring us back to a New normal by mid-August. This will be measured and depending on results on a day by day basis. Other areas of the country where the Pandemic is less virulent will continue with local measures that are more relaxed. Nevertheless there are internal barriers, long distance travel is severely restricted with no bus, train or flights allowed.
Export licenses: On July 17th licenses were issued for 202,000 metric tons of maize, 60,000 metric tons of soymeal, 50,000 metric tons of wheat 45,000 metric tons of soyoil, 30,000 metric tons of sorghum 14,500 metric tons of sunmeal and 10,000 metric tons of soya beans.
Grains and agriproducts arrivals at Upriver and Bahia Blanca: Upriver terminals had 3,814 trucks delivering. Of these 2,132 were maize and 1,386 were soybeans. 500 trucks of maize at Arroyo Seco. Punta Alvear took in 30 wagons of wheat. Bahia Blanca had an input of 1,113 trucks . 601 were maize and 402 were soya beans. Additionally 35 wagons of malt arrived.
Loading rates at Upriver Terminals: Most of the Upriver terminals are modern and efficient installations with fast load rates ranging between 1,000/1,600 metric tons per hour, It is recommended that Masters minimize the ballast onboard when berthing and carefully coordinate the load rate and sequence. Slow downs and delays during loading are considered delays and financial damages to the installation. There have been claims due to stoppages and alleged lost time.
Recalada: Recalada closes often due to swell, fog and high winds. Usual during the early winter months.
Necochea: Necochea opened, July 15th at 1645 hours. The port had remained closed since Friday July 10th at 1715 hours. Storms and strong wind are expected during this coming week.
Bahia Blanca: Pilotage service is being rendered normally. Bahia Blanca is also 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.
Crew changes: Crew changes are not possible in Argentina TODAY.
Uruguay has allowed entry into the country under very strict restrictions. Travelers 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 is at the moment only one international flight per week these requirements make it virtually impossible 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.
*** IMPORTANT *** Recalada/Zona Comun. New procedures for arriving vessels: As from Sunday June 14th, the CoastGuard medics are not attending at Recalada. The change is that now medics are boarding vessels at Zona Comun, but only as from 0900 hours. It means that the preliminary inspection has added cost. Each vessel must pay a launch service for the two medics and additionally the pilots charge an anchoring fee. This will amount to additional cost as follows:
USD 1,900.00 launch service, Monday to Friday. Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays USD 2,080.00
plus
USD ——– Pilot’s anchoring fee calculated as follows: USD 14.00 per Fiscal Unit of the vessel. FUs are calculated basis (LOA x Beam x Molded depth)/800.
The latest instruction is that inbound vessels will sail from Recalada so as to arrive at Zona Comun approximately 0800 hours so as to be inspected during daylight hours. On the other hand most vessels arriving at Recalada with more than 14 days since last port of call are frequently allowed to proceed to load port without stoppage.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
For more information