April 07th 2022
Crew changes in Argentina
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, April 08th, until Monday April 11th 2022, 0800 hrs)
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Horacio Vazquez +54 9 11 5578 4554
Gastón Cabrera +54 9 11 5578 4556
– Upriver:
Sebastian Ferrara +54 9 11 3156 1679
Agustin More +54 9 11 6656 1677
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holidays: Easter week-end, Thursday April 14th, Friday April 15th. Easter Saturday April 16th is normal working Saturday morning shift.
Bahia Blanca stevedores:
Stevedores are stopping work for one to two hours during each six-hour shift in protest claiming a Covid-19 bonus. This action has now been ongoing for a few weeks.
Trucker’s strike:
There are very strong rumors that private truckers will start an open-ended strike as from April 11th. The complaint is regarding diesel fuel shortages and road freight regulated tariffs that need to be adjusted to increased fuel costs.
The fuel shortage is said to be due to increased exports of diesel which pays better on the international market than on the local regulated market where tariffs are held low.
River Parana Draft:
INA (National Water Institute) has issued an adjusted forecast.
Please see the attachment.
The surge at Upriver ports starts now and will be strong for about three weeks. After that, the water level may recede slightly, but the level (basis San Lorenzo) is forecast to average in the order of 9.7/9.8 meters into early June.
Rain remains below long-term average and there is a consistent shortage of water in the River Parana. Rainfall is still much lower than is “usual” and a sustained recovery of the water level is not forecast for the coming months.
Grains and Markets:
Harvest of soya beans and maize continues. 17 per cent of the maize has been lifted so far and 8 per cent of the soya. Yields are satisfactory.
Colombia is in the market for 45,000 mtons maize May dates, Vietnam same quantity for June, Morocco 60 thousand for May.
Jordan is still working 120,000 mtons wheat for August.
Bunkers in Argentina:
Bunker supplies at Zona Comun are steady with the return to production of the PAE refinery in Campana. The flow of VLSFOil is reported to be back to normal and bunker barges have already loaded. This refinery supplies approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the market demand. Crude remains volatile due to hostilities in the Black Sea area and local bunker prices accompany that trend.
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:
The National Government late night Wednesday decreed that travel restrictions were lifted and that crew changes are allowed.
The general aspect is still subject to requirements for each port where local restrictions may yet apply.
Health Agencies in all major ports are evaluating how to comply with this deregulation.
Each Sanitary Authority will later advise what requirements may be applicable at their ports.
Once this is settled, we shall get back with specific instructions.
IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE CONTACT 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