April 10th 2022
National Holidays
National Holidays: Easter week-end, Thursday April 14th, Friday April 15th. Easter Saturday April 16th is normal working Saturday morning shift.
Trucker’s strike:
Grain truckers have confirmed they will commence an open ended strike as from tomorrow, April 11th. These truckers are the owners of the trucks and they are protesting the shortage of diesel fuel and the low road freight regulated tariffs. Other than stopping work it is not yet clear how they will protest.
The fuel shortage is reported to be caused by increased exports of diesel which pay 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 new surge is making itself felt and will continue into the third week of April. Because of increased water level at San Lorenzo and Rosario the determining draft will be further down river. San Nicolás will have less draft than San Lorenzo and Rosario which are Upriver. The maximum permissible sailing draft from ports further Upriver will be the same as San Nicolas. Once this surge has passed the forecast is that the river level will settle around 9.7/9.8 meters draft, always basis San Lorenzo.
River Paraná/River Plate dredging and buoying:
The contract for dredging and buoying of the River Parana is now being managed by a Government entity called AGP S.E. This is the former Government Port Administration Company. They collect tolls and sub-contract the maintenance of the dredging and buoying of the River Parana and the River Plate. Since the contract with “Hidrovia S.A.” expired the dredging is being done by Jan de Nul and a local company performs maintenance of the buoying. In the meantime AGP are organizing a shorter term tender (approximately one year) for maintenance. They are also preparing the longer term (twenty year) tender, with new and improved specifications for the navigable waterway. A first call for offers for the short term (one year period) was cancelled due to contractual fails in the offers. At the present time there is increased political pressure from parties interested in the new contract. This dredging and maintenance contract is one the biggest dredging contracts on a worldwide basis. Most of the larger dredging companies are interested in offering and some of these are owned or run by foreign states. Added to this the local seamen’s union is very keen on keeping their members employed under favorable terms.
This short term infighting before the issuance of the terms for a new long term project does not allow the interested parties to see or propose on the improvements needed for the new contract.
We shall keep you informed regarding developments.
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.
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