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: Next National Holiday Monday August 17th, San Martin day.
Recalada and Upriver pilots: The Uruguayan Government has now started requiring all persons entering the country to have a Covid free certificate. Pilots used to be excepted but this has now been withdrawn. As a result of this situation pilots transiting by land to Montevideo to board at Recalada are being delayed or not allowed in. This is causing a shortage of pilots at Recalada because the only way to “supply” the station is with outbound vessels. Until the situation is resolved inbound are being subjected to delays due to lack of pilots.
Covid-19: The National Government starts a new relaxation of the quarantine in the Buenos Aires area. This starts officially as from Monday 27th. The relaxing will be in staged mode 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. The province of Santa Fe will require that as from July 27th all persons entering will have to have a Covid 19 test done prior entry. It is yet to be seen how this will affect activities in the maritime community since Villa Constitucion, Arroyo Seco, Lagos, Rosario, San Lorenzo and Timbues are all within this province.
River Parana draft: The draft for vessel’s on the River Parana is averaging 10.00 meters. The current volume of water in the river is expected to keep this draft, plus or minus 30 centimeters over the coming months. Rain in the catchment area is only expected to start in late September, and hopefully return the river to normal depths.
Export licenses: Export licenses were issued on July 24th for 570,000 metric tons of maize, 50,000 metric tons of soft wheat, 42,000 metric tons of brewing barley and 18,200 metric tons of malt.
Recalada: Recalada closes often due to swell, fog and high winds. Usual during the early winter months.
Necochea: Necochea opened of July 25th at 0845 hours. It had closed July 21st 1600 hours due to strong wind and high swell.
Bahia Blanca: Pilotage service has been suspended at intervals over the last few days due to bad weather.
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