December 09th 2021
Wheat Harvest 2021/2022
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, December 10th, until Monday December 13th 0800 hrs)
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Manuel García Claveria +54 9 11 5578 4559
Gastón Nicolás Cabrera +54 9 11 5578 4556
– Upriver:
Sebastián José Ferrara +54 9 11 3156 1679
Franco Gabriel Ostojic +54 9 11 6656 1678
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holiday: 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: Restrictions have placed on all persons travelling who originate or transit via Africa due to the detection of the “Omicron” variety of Covid-19.
This is still an ongoing and developing situation.
Incoming crew are now allowed to join vessels provided the proper Visa and Sanitary arrangements are made at origin principally as per below:
*Visas are issued prior entry at the corresponding Argentine Consulate for nationalities required.
The list of nationalities that require visas is available at: https://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/indexdnm.php?visas
*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.
PLEASE CONSULT US PRIOR COMMENCING PROCEDURES.
River Paraná draft: The forecast for maximum draft at Upriver ports remains as per our last report. Forecast issued by INA (The National Water Institute) sees little change as rains in the Parana Catchment area are still scarce. Below please find the official forecast:
Wheat Harvest 2021/2022: Exceptional yields during the ongoing harvest, and despite the drought, estimates are that the overall harvest may reach over 22 million tons. The largest ever recorded.
Tug Boat Service in Argentina: Tug boats continue “working to rule” due to a wage dispute. Services are limited to 12 hours per day, every day of the week. Service is being provided between 0700 and 1900 or 0600 and 1800 hours depending on the port. This is at ALL ports except for Buenos Aires where the action has other characteristics. Negotiations remain ongoing.
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