June 14th 2022
River Parana and River Plate
National Holidays: Friday Friday June 17th and Monday June 20th (extra-long weekend)
River Parana Draft Forecast as per INA Report basis shallowest points reported June 12th:
A small surge is moving in these days and is expected to last until the end of June. After that the river level will descend, but the low water is not forecast to be as low as 2021.
Bahia Blanca BUNKER CALLS ONLY:
The port administration at Bahia Blanca has reduced the “entry” tariffs for vessels that stop at the Roads for lifting bunkers only.
This is an 18 per cent reduction, and it reflects as a reduction of about USD 3,500 on a Capesize, down from USD 26,000 to USD 22,500, and a reduction of USD 2,000 on a Panamax, down from USD 16,000 to USD 14,000.
Grains and Markets:
The latest estimate from USDA for Argentina’s 2022 harvest of soya beans is now 43.3 million tons. This is a slight increase over the previous estimate. Most of the beans are expected to be crushed locally as there is a substantial over supply of crushing capacity.
The USDA put the estimate for Argentina’s 2022 maize harvest at 53 million tons. Also, slightly up on the previous estimate.
Given the ongoing hostilities in the Black Sea a healthy demand for this is expected to be continued.
Colombia is reportedly looking for a September handymax shipment of soya meal in September and Mexico and Vietnam are looking for same volumes on October dates.
River Parana and River Plate dredging and buoying:
The Government appears to be losing its interest in organizing the new tenders to maintain the River Parana and River Plate. With the expiry of the Hidrovia S.A. (Jan de Nul) concession early this year the plan was to tender for a new concession on a short term and later a longer-term basis. It also was to include changes into the procedures and the specifications principally under the longer-term tender. In the meantime, the dredging was to be performed by Jan de Nul under a direct contract with AGP management. As things seem now there are strong calls to leave all as is and keep the present system in place. The good side of this is that for the moment it works effectively, and the maintenance of present drafts is working. The downside is that an improved navigation system will have to wait for new authorities to get the initiatives rolling again to design and call for an updated waterway more adequate to today’s traffic. National elections are due at the end of 2023.
The only new subject that has been called up is for the “Magdalena Canal” which has a lot of political backing.
This is a new access canal into the River Plate that is felt will better connect the southern ports with Upriver.
Please see the diagram beneath:
Bahia Blanca stevedores:
Stevedores are stopping work for one to two hours during each six-hour shift in protest claiming a Covid-19 bonus. This action is has now been ongoing.
Repatriating, disembarking, returning crewmembers – Crew changes:
We take the opportunity to remind Crew Departments that recently there have been difficult situations when returning/repatriating crew have had trouble boarding or been refused by airlines at the airport due to insufficient or missing health certificates. Authorities at destination countries are often requiring Covid free tests that must be performed prior boarding.
Regulations for Crew Changes have been relaxed further and changes are now allowed.
ANTARES: We attach to this News aBut for Nationals(*) needing VISA
the process is still quite long.
Process for Crew Change:
1.Joining and departing crew must have full vaccination scheme completed (two doses) 48 hours prior joining or departing vessel.
2.A sworn statement must be signed.
3.Joining and departing crew that do NOT have the full vaccination scheme must have an antigen test performed not more than 48 hours prior or a PCR test not more than 72 hours prior joining or departing the vessel.
4.Requests for visas to be issued at Consulates must be presented to Immigration offices, via Agents.
5.Disembarking crew will need to have a Covid health insurance that covers them for about one year in case the crew member is detected as infected after leaving the vessel and prior to leaving the country.
Estimated Time for On Signers without needing VISA: 5/7 (five/seven) days
Estimated Time for On Signers needing VISA: 10 (ten) days
Estimated Time for Off Signers: 5 (five) days
PLEASE CONTACT US PRIOR COMMENCING PROCEDURES.
(*) Passport Required VISA Full List
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
For more information