March 24th – Grains and Markets


March 24th 2022

Grains and Markets

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 25th, until Monday March 28th 2022, 0800 hrs)

– HQ Buenos Aires:

Horacio Vazquez +54 9 11 5578 4554

Germán Stoppo +54 9 11 6434 1673

– 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.

Bahia Blanca strike:

The strike in Bahia Blanca is confirmed. Because of this most of the port unions will stop work as from 00:00 hours Friday 25th until noon Saturday 26th. Stevedores and tug crews are part of the strike so ocean going vessels will not be able to load or discharge.

River Parana Draft:

Latest forecast issued by INA (National Water Institute) shows a continued surge of the water level in the River Parana that is expected to last into mid-April. After that the level will regress to an average draft of 9.00 meters. Once this is over the level will increase gradually due to heavier rain fall in the River Parana catchment area. Rainfall remains at very low levels brought on by the “La Niña” in the Pacific ocean. This weather exception has been prevalent for the last three years.


Rainfall in the River Parana and Uruguay catchment area March 16th to 23rd

Grains and Markets:

The European Union has authorized maize imports from Argentina. This is due to the supply restrictions brought on by hostilities in the Black Sea area. Ports in the Mediterranean are indicated to be the principal destination.

Harvest of the soya is underway. Total expectation is for 42 million tons according to the Rosario Exchange.

Sunflowerseed is also being actively harvested. The forecast for this harvest is 3.3 millions.

Egypt has purchased 100,000 tons of soyaoil in one contract. The origin is not yet known. It will not be Ukraine or Russia.


Off shore exploration:

A noisy debate is underway with ecologists in the Atlantic region regarding off shore exploration in front of the city of Mar del Plata (307 km off-shore). Areas for initial survey have been awarded to YPF, Equinox and Shell. This is one of the few items that is shared by Government and Opposition parties so it stands a better than even chance of going ahead. Bases for the off-shore support can be at either Bahia Blanca or Mar del Plata.


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.


Bunkers in Argentina:

The bunker supplies at Zona Comun remain restricted. The PAE refining plant at Campana is extending it’s closure for a further week for scheduled maintenance and will not renew its usual production flow until mid-April. Heavy fuels (VLSFO) remain in very low supply. This refinery supplies approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the market demand. Crude remain 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:

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.

At this time the only place that can used for boarding crew is Ushuaia. This port is considered a “safe corridor” and the regulations have been designed principally for the cruise ships that may call.

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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