November 28th 2021
Draft Upriver
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 Holiday: Wednesday, December 08th, 2021
Draft Upriver: The official forecast on the Parana is for stabilized levels in the foreseeable future. Rain in the upper reaches and catchment area of the River Parana paints a better perspective. We are still far from seeing a recovery of the water level that will allow the maximum sailing draft to return to levels to what we were accustomed to seeing two years previously.
Below the official forecast:
Crew changes in Argentina: Slowly restrictions are being lifted for crew changes in Argentina. Incoming crew are now allowed to join vessels provided the proper Visa and Sanitary arrangements are made at origin principally as per below:
*Full vaccination performed at least 14 days prior entry to Argentina
*Negative PCR test performed 72 hours prior first boarding
*Antigen test performed upon arrival at “safe entry corridor” point (for example Buenos Aires Airport Ezeiza)
If, in case the boarding crew member does not have full vaccination (minimum 2 doses) before boarding then the person must be kept in quarantine for 7 days and may only leave this quarantine once a negative PCR test is performed.
Crew are allowed to leave vessels on Sanitary grounds. This is understood to be with a medical certificate, issued in Argentina, that certifies the crew member is “unfit for duty onboard”. One reason considered to be “unfit for duty onboard” is in case that due to “severe distress” the crew member cannot perform his duties. Another reason is in case the crew member has an expired work contract and can prove to Sanitary Authority that he cannot wait for the vessel’s next port of call.
Wheat Harvest 2021/20222: Further to our latest information, the forecast prepared by the Buenos Aires grain exchange now estimates the total wheat harvest to be 20.3 million tons. This means that this harvest is one of the largest volumes registered. This large volume will also enable exports to reach farther than the usual destinations for Argentine wheat which were principally in the area of South America.
Maize trading: Argentine maize is being traded and the latest market information talks of two Panamax cargoes sold for shipment on December and January dates.
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.
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