March 03rd 2022
Grain and Markets from Argentina
ANTARES: We attach to this News a flyer with the full detail of all our staff for your ready reference. Both for our office in Buenos Aires and for San Lorenzo (Upriver).
Week end duty staff: (Friday noon, March 04th, until Monday March 07th 2022, 0800 hrs)
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Horacio Vazquez +54 9 11 5578 4554
German Stoppo +54 9 11 6434 1673
– Upriver:
Franco Gabriel Ostojic +54 9 11 6656 1678
Pablo Andres Faggiani +54 9 11 3156 1681
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holidays: Thursday, March 24th, Memorial Day.
River Parana Draft:
We attach the River Paraná long term forecast. A small surge is expected towards the end of March. Nevertheless, the drought in the River Parana catchment areas remains firm and there are no short-term prospects of any change. Rain is still scarce.
Grain and Markets from Argentina:
Markets are still settling down to the circumstances brought upon by the hostilities in the Black Sea area. There are market expectations for Argentine wheat being a replacement for North African buyers that have in some cases already agreed purchases from Black Sea origin but are not yet shipped. Also, in the longer term where sanctions and infrastructure damage will significantly reduce output if ports are accessible. Much expectation but still very early days given a very changed picture since the previous week.
On a more local outlook the drought that affects the River Parana has reduced the forecast for the coming harvest of HSS. Soya crushing is now forecast to be 39.4 million tons over 2022/2023. During 2021/2022 the crushed soya beans were 41.2 million tons. This includes imported soya beans from Paraguay which has had it’s harvest forecast diminished to one (1) million tons.
Bahia Blanca labor conflicts:
The stevedore union in Bahia Blanca continues protests by stopping work for one hour each shift. The stevedores are wanting a wage increase and a bonus to be paid for work during Covid-19 pandemic.
Tugboat crews in Bahia Blanca are working on a similar pattern to Necochea. That is a 12-hour shift commencing with the first service of the day.
Argentina-Brazil Flag Waiver:
As from Saturday February 05th the requirement for flag-waivers on traffic between Argentina and Brazil has been lifted. Previously all traffic between the two countries had required either Argentine or Brazilian flag vessels. In case a third flagged vessel was used a waiver had to be obtained. The agreement or treaty that regulated this was not renewed by the Brazilian Government, and has expired so traffic is free for any other flagged vessel.
Bunkers in Argentina:
The bunker supply situation is tight. The PAE refining plant at Campana is closed for scheduled maintenance and will not renew its usual production flow until end-March. Heavy fuels (VLSFO) are in very low supply. This refinery supplies approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the market demand.
Crew changes in Argentina:
Crew will only be allowed to disembark when a serious medical issue occurs.
In such a case a medical board will evaluate the situation and decide.
PLEASE CONSULT US PRIOR COMMENCING PROCEDURES.
Crew changes made at foreign port/s 14 days prior arrival at Argentine ports: Besides many other documents and certificates, these below are of special concern:
-Owner’s Crew changes protocol at 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 certified professional in the country where the crew joined, not the country of origin.
-Covid test, PCR, for on-signers at port of boarding (not country of origin).
Lacking any of above (besides all usual documents) pilots will not be allowed to board until a 14-day period is counted starting from the moment the last crew-member has boarded.
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
For more information