June 22nd 2021
River Parana 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: July 09th, Independence Day.
River Parana draft: The water level in the River Parana continues dropping to record low levels. Further Upriver than the ports called by ocean vessels measurements are getting close to the lowest recorded in history. At Santa Fé City (Km 584 on the River) today, Sunday 27th, the river registered it’s lowest level in 50 years, 22 cm. Over the weekend, the lower ports on Upriver, Ramallo and San Nicolas had a small “bounce back” effect because of south winds on the River Plate which backed up the level, but this will be very short lived. Not more than a couple of days. The dams further Upriver in South Brazil are now beyond any capacity to release water to improve the situation.
We strongly urge that we be consulted prior completing loading operations for the maximum recommended arrival drafts estimated for the vessels ETA.
LDC Gral Lagos Berths: Dredging work at LDC Lagos is close to completion of the first phase. Once this is finished the dredging contractor will be performing bathymetric measurements and present same to CoastGuards for review. The purpose of this dredging is to bring the berth back in line with the maximum permissible draft of other Upriver loading berths.
Covid-19: The Government is further restricting inbound travelers due to the new Covid 19 variants manifesting themselves in Northern Hemisphere countries. All inbound passengers from foreign countries have as single entry point Buenos Aires airport, Ezeiza. Additionally only 600 passengers are allowed entry per day.
Winter weather delays: Winter weather is now setting strongly. Pilot services are delayed for certain periods during the day at both Recalada and Bahia Blanca due to bad weather. It is also expected that Necochea will be closing early this coming week for the same reason.
Labor situation: Very strong labor unrest continues through out the country. The Government’s unskillful procurement of vaccines is added to strong inflation and claims by unions for wage adjustments. In order to try and contain inflation the Government tries to regulate and inevitably causes that all parties increase pressure. Various Chambers of Commerce have issued communiqués asking for all parties to seek peaceful resolution before going on strike.
River Paraná Draft: As mentioned in the first item of this message the River Parana level is dropping to record levels. Same as last year, the Iguazu water falls are again running close to dry as can be seen on this picture:
There have even been incidents of groundings in unusual areas such as occurred at Campana on Thursday 24th night when the mv ICE RUNNER, a reefer vessel which was sailing from EuroAmerica berth on 9.15 meters draft grounded and had to be assisted by a salvage Master and two tugs to free up after four hours work. Navigation was not obstructed and this may also be related to a bad maneuver.
LNG Carriers: With coming winter weather LNG carriers are calling more frequently at Belen de Escobar in order to inject natural gas into the network. These vessels are given priority by CoastGuard River Plate Traffic Control when both in and outbound. When these vessels navigate between Recalada and Escobar, on the Mitre Canal, traffic in the opposite direction is stopped for up to six hours. This may cause delays to vessels. It is expected that in some weeks this may occur up to three times a week.
Pilots and traffic in the River Plate: There is a shortage of personnel due to Covid-19 related issues (either being infected and under quarantine or detected as close contacts and therefore being isolated). Please bear in mind that delays are to be expected because of this. Another reason for delays is the traffic of LNG carriers which call at Escobar terminal. When these carriers are in or outbound the CoastGuard close traffic between Recalada and Escobar. With an expected 2 or 3 carriers every week delays must be considered.
Necochea and Bahia Blanca: Both Bahia Blanca and Necochea stevedores are demanding a 14 day quarantine for vessels calling at these ports. The 14 days are counted as from the day of departure from the last foreign port of call. This period to count even if the vessel has been granted Free Practique and called at another Argentine port. These are local issues and must be solved locally. Meetings with the unions have been held, but so far no agreement has been reached.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CHECK WITH US BEFORE FIXING VESSELS ORIGINATING FROM BRAZIL, CHILE AND URUGUAY.
Bahia Blanca dredging: At the moment two dredgers are working on the access canal of Bahia Blanca. This is maintenance work and navigation is not expected to be interrupted.
Crew changes prior arrival in Argentine ports:
The Sanitary Authority have become more strict on health checks for all vessels arriving within the 14 day quarantine period. They are taking special care with vessels that have changed crews in Brazil.
The following list of requirements are asked to be presented prior granting Free Practique:
-Maritime Declaration of health.
-Crew temperature log (every 12 hours).
-Imo crew list (with embarkation date).
-Disinfection statement.
-Covid questionnaire.
-Traveler health declaration.
-Vaccination list.
-Visitor’s log book for last 14 days or last port if more than 14 days of navigation. Including crew interaction with people ashore, giving the purpose of said interaction.
-Owner/Head Owner/Disponent Owner’s COVID-19 plan/protocol.
-Owner/Head Owner/Disponent Owner’s crew change protocol [in foreign countries].
-Owner’s note (with signature and stamp of the Captain and Owners company) clarifying that the crew change was carried out taking all due precautions, etc.
-Medical certificate issued by competent professional.
-Covid test for on signers at port of boarding.
-Sworn declaration of all joining crew including traceability of last 14 days prior boarding, referring to the following:
– Place of residence.
– Places they have visited in the last 14 days.
– Trips they have taken in the last 14 days.
– Type of transportation they have used to go to the airport.
– Layovers [place and time elapsed].
– If any crew member has had any COVID-19 symptom.
Puerto Madryn: Vessels and off shore rigs are using Puerto Madryn’s sheltered anchorage to perform maintenance, hull inspection and lay-up off this central Patagonia port. The port has adequate support facilities. (42°46′S 65°3′W).
Asian Gypsy Moth Inspections in Argentina: Same as is happening in many other countries Argentina will also start implementing inspections on all vessels coming from Far East Pacific ports on account of Asian Gypsy Moth. The inspections are being performed by SENASA (National Animal and Vegetable Health Service) as from April 12th, 2021. All vessels that have called at ports in China, Koreas, Japan and Far East Russia within the last 24 months (2 years) will have to be reported by Agents to SENASA. If the vessel has called at these ports between April and October she will be inspected. If, during the inspection the vessel is found to be affected by AGM she will need to be fumigated by a certified company. Until this procedure is performed the vessel will not be allowed to sail by the CoastGuard. Inspections are usually performed while vessel is alongside and in daylight hours.
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. Limited internal flights are functioning again. 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.
For more information