CIRCULAR 001/17 – SANITARY DISPOSITIONS IN ARGENTINA

During the last week we have received various enquiries related to an alleged new regulation in Argentina by the Sanitary authorities (Disposition 74 E/2016), by which a mandatory cleaning and disinfection program would be requested from the vessels, including disinfection from all vessels prior to gaining “free practique”.

In fact, the aforementioned Disposition issued by the Health Authority is not new and it has been in force since November 2016. However, so far did not affect the cargo ships because the Disposition 74 E/2016 applies to “ any mean of passenger international transport with place for more than 14 people”.

Recently, the Health Unit based in San Lorenzo Port seemed to extend the provisions of such Disposition to cargo ships as well, creating some uncertainty on its implementation. Apparently, the intention of San Lorenzo’s Health Unity was for all ships’  (passenger and cargo vessels) to be fumigated prior to issuing the “free practique” unless there was a valid fumigation certificate from the previous calls.

The Sub-secretary of Policies, Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Health has issued an internal note clarifying to the Unit based at San Lorenzo that such regulation does not apply to cargo ships but passenger vessels only. We have drafted a free translation of such internal note:

We refer to the notes N ° 32/2017 and N ° 33/2017, dated February 6 and 8, 2017 issued by the Sanitary Unit of Puerto San Martín to the Ship-agents.

For what was mentioned in the aforementioned notes and bearing in mind the note received from the Sub-secretary of Ports and waterways it appears necessary in this instance with the collaboration of the ship-agents responsible for compliance with the Health Regulations to make certain clarifications in relation to the above.

The aforementioned provision establishes in its article 1 “the mandatory development of the Clean-up Program and Disinfection for any type of means of transport of passengers, whether collective transport of passenger, aircraft or boats, with a capacity greater than 14 seats, who enter or leave the National territory “, DOES NOT REFER TO CARGO SHIPS, OR TO OBLIGATION OF FUMIGATION, which would correspond to pest control within the framework of Law 11843.Likewise, Regulation No. 74-E / 2016 defines in its Annex I the items included in the Program of Cleaning and Disinfection of International Transport Means, and understanding that the procedures or Protocols for the maintenance of ship cleaning and disinfection as Subject to different variables, it must be interpreted that as long as they comply with the points cited in ANNEX I of the aforementioned Disposition, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TO GENERATE PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS.

In relation to ships of international traffic and cruises, as established in the international sanitary regulation 2005 under Title VI: Articles 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, no other health documents shall be require than those provided for in that Regulation or in the recommendations made by WHO, including: Certificate of Health on board, Maritime Declaration of Health, List of ports of the last thirty Days, list of crew and passengers, copy of medical book, etc.

This was later ratified through an official notification.

Trusting that the aforementioned will clarify the situation, we remain at your disposal for any clarification and/or additional information that you may require.

Pandi Liquidadores SRL

Notice: the content of this circular is for information only. Even though it has been issued carefully, and to the best of our knowledge, it has a general purpose and we can accept no liability whatsoever for any particular action taken upon it. © Pandi Liquidadores SRL 2016. All rights reserved.