November 04th 2021
Argentine Ports
In view of the ongoing developing situation and different communications and instructions being issued by Sanitary Authorities of the Argentine Government we have chosen to send a consolidated daily report at the closing of working hours with an update of the day’s news.
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, November 5th, until Monday, 0800 hrs, November 8th)
– HQ Buenos Aires:
Manuel Garcia Claveria +54 9 11 5578 4559
German Stoppo +54 9 11 6434 1673
– Upriver:
Pablo Andres Faggiani +54 9 11 3156 1681
Agustin More +54 9 11 6656 1677
Walter Nestor Travaglini +54 9 11 3156 1680
National Holiday: Monday, November 22nd, 2021
Strike in San Lorenzo lifted: The strike in San Lorenzo has been lifted because the Government has decreed compulsory mediation. The dispute, which is wage related, had affected Bunge PGSM, Dempa, Pampa, Renova, Cofco Timbues, Cofco PGSM, LDC Timbues, Molinos Agro and Terminal 6 mainly. There will now be a period of 15 days during which the parties must try and reach an agreement.
Argentine wheat: Due to the present market conditions (quality and price) the forecast is that Argentine wheat will be exported further afield than usual seasons with the coming harvest. Among the more likely destinations now West Africa and the Mediterranean ports can be reached competitively.
Ushuaia: Work on the extension of the pier continues. The situation at this time is that there is a certain minimal limitation to the berthing front availability but the it remains in service. The work underway at present is to perform a survey of the bed for the foundations.
Bunkers in Argentina: At the present time the principal bunker delivery areas in Argentina and the Plate area are Zona Comun and Buoy 11, Bahia Blanca Roads. Bunker suppliers mention that sales are brisk and all are busy. The traders and physical suppliers at Zona Comun are various but Bahia Blanca is monopolized by Trafigura who are the only physical suppliers although they do sell via brokers. The area which is no longer a market is Recalada/Zone Alfa which used to be supplied from Montevideo, Uruguay. The only petroleum refinery in Uruguay in owned by the State run company, Ancap, and it does not produce Very Low Sulphur as required by the maritime market. The fuel oil available from the refinery is High Sulphur and it is sold to the paper mills for their own use.
Crew changes in Argentina/Plate: The Argentine Immigration Department has clarified that boarding crew members must have the following Covid-19 related tests performed in order to enter the country and board vessels:
*Full vaccination performed at lest 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
So far, the Sanitary Authority have not yet issued any rulings on movement of crewmembers, either in or out.
Until this is done crew changes will not be able to proceed.
Crew changes made at previous foreign port/s 14 days prior arrival in 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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