March 17th 2022
River Parana Draft
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, March 18th, until Monday March 21st 2022, 0800 hrs
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Manuel Garcia Claveria +54 9 11 5578 4559
Germán Stoppo +54 9 11 6434 1673
– Upriver:
Franco Gabriel Ostojic +54 9 11 6656 1678
Pablo Andres Faggiani +54 9 11 3156 1681
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holidays: Thursday, March 24th, Memorial Day.
Bahia Blanca strike:
A strike has been called out for March 25th at 00:00 hours until noontime Saturday 26th. The strike is organized by many unions that work in the port. Ocean going vessels will be affected by this stoppage because both stevedores and tug boat crews are joining. Please also consider, that as per above, Thursday 24th is a National Holiday. The strike is related to a series of disputes, mainly wage related.
River Parana Draft:
Attached please find the updated long term forecast based on data supplied by INA (National Water Institute). At the present time we are in the middle of a surge that is maintaining a good volume of water in the river and a minimal improvement in the River draft. The longer term forecast is for a gradual improvement in the water level, but always within the very low draft levels we have been enduring during the last three years. Rainfall in the catchment area is still very short. Please see the updated weather map below.
Grain and Markets:
According to reports from the World Bank, Middle East and North African countries will be forced to purchase wheat from sources alternative to Russia and Ukraine due to the hostilities in the Black Sea area. Exports will be limited by the war condition and the blockage of ports in the area. The alternative origins are expected to be along EC South America. Another bulk cargo affected will be fertilizers. The principal exporters, again Russia and Ukraine will see their activity curtailed by the hostilities in the area.
Solaris, formerly a trader of Russian wheat will now commence activity from Argentina and Australia so to cover market commitments.
Closure of Soyabean meal and Soyabean oil exports:
The Government have closed the register of export permits for soyabean meal and soya oil. This has been done to stop further declarations and enable them to increase the export taxes by a “reported” two per cent. In that way they can also profit from the rise in prices caused by the armed conflict in the Black Sea area. At one moment there was a rumor that wheat, maize and soya beans were to be included. That has not happened, yet.
Hidrovia:
As reported previously, the Government have issued “short term” tender for maintenance of the dredging and buoying of the River Parana between Upriver and Recalada. This “short term” tender is to cover the period until the “longer term” tender is prepared and awarded. The first round of the awards for the “short term” tender left only Jan de Nul to follow on to the second round. This has now been appealed by two of the disqualified parties. A decision by the tendering board is still pending on whether the appeal will be allowed. In the meantime, the dredging and buoying remains with Jan de Nul based on a direct award system.
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.
Bunkers in Argentina:
The bunker supply situation remains tight. The PAE refining plant at Campana is closed for scheduled maintenance and will not renew its usual production flow until end-March. Heavy fuels (VLSFO) are in very low supply. This refinery supplies approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the market demand. Add this to present very high bunker prices brought on by hostilities in the Black Sea area.
Crew changes in Argentina:
Crew will only be allowed to disembark when a serious medical issue occurs.
In such a case a medical board will evaluate the situation and decide.
PLEASE CONSULT 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.
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