November 30th 2021
Crew changes in Argentina
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; Saturday, December 25th, 2021 (Christmas Day). It is customary that December 24th (Christmas Eve) is also declared a holiday shortly before the date.
Crew changes in Argentina:
Despite earlier optimism about crew changes the Sanitary Authority has now placed strong restrictions on all persons who travel originating from Africa by air or by vessel. Vessels arriving from Africa will be subject to close scrutiny due to the detection of the “Omicron” variety of the ever-present Covid-19.
This is an ongoing and developing situation.
A cruise vessel which called at Cape Verde Islands few days prior arriving at Buenos Aires on Saturday 27th was subjected to close scrutiny.
Nevertheless, 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 January 2022: Egypt has purchased 10 Panamax cargoes of wheat, 60 mil. January shipment basis 4 from Romania, 4 from Russia (Novorossiysk) and 2 from Ukraine.
Maize trading: Colombia, Vietnam and Morocco are in the market looking for Maize. All three are likely purchasers of Argentine Maize.
Soyaoil-India+Egypt: India has purchased 30,000 mt of soyaoil for shipment on January dates. So has Egypt, same amount but 2H January.
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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