October 19th 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: Monday, November 22nd, 2021
Wheat 2021/2022 – Argentina/Brazil: The ongoing discussion regarding the possible contamination of Argentine wheat bound for Brazil by a small amount of GMO wheat is generating many wild rumors. Nothing is yet firm and the rumor mill is being fueled by wild accusations.
Crew changes in Argentina: The Government Immigration Department has announced that crew changes are to be allowed starting October 20th.
Tests will be required for boarding crew members along lines which will be similar to entering tourists, namely:
Details of required conditions and terms for departing crewmembers have not yet been disclosed.
Final requirements are still to be published by the Sanitary Authority.
River Parana draft: The draft at Upriver ports is improving as a result of a surge coming from South Brazil and Paraguay brought on by rains. This is expected to last thought the first week in November. At this moment the overall prospect is that after this good period is over the draft will diminish until rains return to normal volumes. For this to happen the Niño/Niña currents in the Pacific Ocean must return to what are considered established patterns.
We urge you to consult prior load completion of vessels bringing inbound cargoes to Upriver ports.
Scrubbers. The restriction to use open-loop scrubbers was regulated/prohibited on Aug 2020 (Disp 15/2020), but shortly afterward the application of this regulation was ‘suspended’ by the authority (Disp 20/2020). Therefore, at present time no specific regulation/restriction applies regarding the use of scrubbers in Argentina waterways, at least, until further notice. Besides scrubbers, any other wash water discharge is strictly forbidden in riverway and seaports and to be carried out as per MARPOL Annex V.
Crew changes made at previous port/s 14 days prior arrival in 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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