Brief of COVID-19 News – events in Argentina and
Uruguay dated 20/07/2020,
for your reference,
ARGENTINA
By new decree the Executive extended the compulsory isolation
particularly to Buenos Aires City and surrounding districts of
Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area till August 2nd
- 2400 hrs. Other areas within the country to be announced case
by case basis.
Activities related to foreign trade are so far excluded from the
isolation process, operations in most ports are carried out without
interruptions or delays
Anyway current status at each port as listed below:
Restriction for vessels coming to Argentina due to Covid-19
General regulations – Covid19 Protocol
Additional to usual pre arrival requirements and with no exception,
Sanitary authorities request to receive in advance all documents as sworn
statement,
listed on Notice here attached, according to Items 1 to 4 whatever be
the case.
Vessels arriving from affected countries or areas so far considered by
Argentina as high risk from Covid-19 :
Europe, Iran, Japan, South Korea, United States, Brazil and Chile; or arriving from
any country but with less
than 14 days of navigation
(no quarantine period), must comply with current Sanitary protocol where
all crew will be tested onboard, upon vessel’s arrival to ‘Zona Comun’
Pilot Station, before getting the authorization to proceed navigation to
port of call.
(pls see copy here attached – Point 2 - Vessels coming
from risk areas without crew changes)
Crew Members / crew change
All borders are still closed, so no foreigners and not even argentine
citizens are allowed to enter the country, except few cases.
In view of this, flights going in/out Argentina are almost null, so no
crew changes can be effected.
In addition, crewmembers are not allowed to disembark at different
ports.
Pilot Services – embarking/disembarking at Recalada
Borders in Uruguay are also closed, Ferry services from Argentina to
Uruguayan ports have been cancelled.
River Plate pilots are traveling as ‘passengers’ on outbound ships, in
order to be positioned at Recalada PS, this affecting their usual
travelling/logistics and availability.
As consequence additional pre-booking and coordination time might be
needed before boarding at Recalada, this specially focus on River Plate
service Recalada/Zona Comun leg
PORT STATUS in ARGENTINA
UPRIVER Ports
Vessel will not be requested to comply with 14 days quarantine period
subject compliance of current Sanitary regulations as detailed above/attached.
In practice and as per last experience for vessels calling Brazil before
Argentina, Sanitary authorities use to delay ‘some extra time’ (abt 24hrs)
to analyze and control whole vessels docs before granting Free pratique,
particularly for those vessels coming empty waiting at Recalada before
proceeding Upriver.
Operations being performed on normal basis so far.
Pilots, towage, launch and mooring/unmooring services being
rendered to ALL vessels on normal basis.
SAN NICOLAS - New Port and Elevator piers
Operations being performed on normal basis so far, but lower
productivity operations due to Covid19 health restrictions with stevedores.
Port authorities are in line with nationwide Sanitary
protocol, providing berthing assignment to all vessels coming from abroad,
NECOCHEA
Sanitary Authorities and Stevedores + Grain Unions are requesting 14
days quarantine period to ALL vessels arriving from any
country abroad
(including those not listed as high risk from
Covid19)
For those vessels loading upriver 1st, then completing her
cargo at Necochea, Stevedores and grain UNIONs are requesting 14
days period to count
since last port of call abroad (i.e. Brazil), even vessel
being cleared with authorities Upriver already.
BAHIA BLANCA
Same as above, Port authorities and Stevedores Unions
are requesting 14 days quarantine period to ALL vessels arriving
from any country abroad
(including those not listed as high risk from
Covid19).
For those vessels loading upriver 1st, then completing her
cargo at Bahia Blanca, Stevedores and grain UNIONs are requesting
14 days period
to count since last port of call abroad (i.e. Brazil),
even vessel being cleared with authorities Upriver already.
There might be some exceptions for vessel calling Uruguay as last port
before Bahia Blanca, but only to be considered case by case basis,
subject Sanitary Authorities approval (not guaranteed) to allow entrance
and operations for those vessel.
So far this measure not affecting LNG/LPG vessels.
CAMPANA/ZARATE
Operations being performed on normal basis so far, subject to current
regulations/procedures stablished due to COVID-19 outbreak
Puerto MADRYN
Operations being performed on normal basis so far, subject to current
regulations/procedures stablished due to COVID-19 outbreak
===================================================================================================================
URUGUAY
COVID19 – Regulations
So far No quarantine restrictions for vessels calling
Uruguay, coming from any risk country, subject to compliance
of Sanitary protocol and health measures in force.
Countries considered as high risk areas:
China, South Korea, Singapore, Iran, Japan, United States,
Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, Chile and Argentina.
Vessels coming from Brazil or other areas, arriving to La Paloma, Delta,
Alpha lighter age Zones & Montevideo are being granted
with ‘Free Pratique’ subject all crew are asymptomatic from COVID-19.
Punta del este / Delta Zone – Montevideo Port
*Free pratique should be granted, information should be send to
authorities 48/72hs prior arrival.
*Inward / outward clearance to be done
*so far No delays expected for Vessels arriving from Brazil, subject all
crew are asymptomatic from COVID-19.
*Provisions and materials can be delivered on board by chandler
Pilots procedure
Vessels who have called a risk port less than 14 days prior arrival
Uruguay will be considered HIGH RISK, anyway Pilots are boarding vessel
subject to Free Pratique Confirmation by Sanitary authorities.
This specially refers to those ships coming from Brazil, Argentina
or Chile, so far being served without restrictions.
Montevideo and Nueva Palmira
Ports are working normal basis, subject to current
regulations/procedures stablished due to COVID-19 outbreak
Crew changes
Temporarily allowed subject to current regulation, as per Instructions
here attached
================================================================================================================
Due to current COVID-19 outbreak and in line with Mandatory isolation in
force, majority of our staff is now working from home.
This situation will remain same at least till August 2nd so far, however
it could be extended subject to current situation and Government
announcements/regulations.
All our staff is monitoring incoming e-mails + phone calls 24/7, to make
sure that our service is no affected on this period.
Best regards