March 20th 2022
River Parana Draft
National Holidays: Thursday, March 24th, Memorial Day.
River Parana Draft:
Attached please find the updated long term forecast based on data supplied by INA (National Water Institute). At the present time a surge is taking place with an improvement in the water levels and an increase in the maximum permissible sailing draft. Once the surge is over the longer term forecast is for a gradual improvement in the water level, but always within the very low draft levels we have been enduring during the last three years. Rainfall in the catchment area is still very short. Please see the updated weather map below.
Hidrovia:
Further to previous reports. The call for a “short term” tender for maintenance and buoying on the River Parana has been declared void after the first stage left only one bidder standing. This was Jan de Nul. For the time being, and until a new tender is drawn up the maintenance dredging and buoy maintenance will be performed by Jan de Nul as they have since the end of the formal contract.
Petroleum Crude:
According to a report filed end of the last week Puerto Rosales is expected to export 400,000 metric tons of crude during March. The facility is being used for exports from the Vaca Muerta shale field. The crude from this field is in demand because of it’s very low sulphur content. The increase in demand at this terminal has brought on the need to transport crude in tank trucks from Vaca Muerta because the pipeline is at maximum capacity. Puerto Rosales has two off shore loading buoys and a third one is planned for the near future. One of the two buoys being used at the moment is also up for replacement. Puerto Rosales is located at the entrance of Bahia Blanca Bay.
Bahia Blanca strike:
A strike has been called out for March 25th at 00:00 hours until noontime Saturday 26th. The strike is organized by many unions that work in the port. Ocean going vessels will be affected by this stoppage because both stevedores and tug boat crews are joining. Please also consider, that as per above, Thursday 24th is a National Holiday. The strike is related to a series of disputes, mainly wage related.
Grain and Markets:
The first consignment of 2022 harvest soya beans has been delivered Renova Timbues Terminal at San Lorenzo port.
At this moment the harvest forecast according to the Rosario Exchange is:
42,000,000 tons of soyabeans
51,000,000 tons of maize
3,500,000 tons of sorghum
3,300,000 tons of sunflower seed
Markets remain with small volumes traded due to the ongoing hostilities in the Black Sea area, added to this the uncertainty due to temporary export restrictions in Argentina and Indonesia.
Closure of Soyabean meal and Soyabean oil exports:
The Government have closed the register of export permits for soyabean meal and soya oil. This has been done to stop further declarations and enable them to increase the export taxes by a “reported” two per cent. In that way they can also profit from the rise in prices caused by the armed conflict in the Black Sea area. At one moment there was a rumor that wheat, maize and soya beans were to be included. That has not happened, yet.
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.
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.
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