March 10th 2022
River Parana Draft
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 11th, until Monday March 14th 2022, 0800 hrs)
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Horacio Vazquez +54 9 11 5578 4554
Gaston Cabrera +54 9 11 5578 4556
– Upriver:
Sebastián José Ferrara +54 9 11 3156 1679
Agustin More +54 9 11 6656 1677
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holidays: Thursday, March 24th, Memorial Day.
River Parana Draft:
We attach the updated River Paraná long term forecast based on data supplied by INA (National Water Institute). A small surge will produce a temporary improvement in River Parana water levels during the coming two weeks. After that the water will return to present levels. As autumn commences there is expected to be a gradual increase in the amount of water in the River. Please find below the rain fall registered between March 01st and 08th.
Grain and Markets from Argentina:
Grain markets are quiet with prices rising strongly but little business closed. The continued hostilities in the Black Sea area are placing 30 per cent of the world wheat exports under threat.
The combined export capacity of Russia and Ukraine, especially to short distance markets in the Mediterranean remains frozen in the short term.
ACA Berth, San Lorenzo:
The ACA berth in San Lorenzo is limited to maximum 180 meters LOA due to a navigation accident during late February. Although work is underway to repair the damage it is not yet known when this expected to conclude.
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 remains 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. Add this to present very high bunker prices brought on by hostilities in the Black Sea area.
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