Circular 035/2020 on the “Gypsy Moth” regulation in Argentina has been updated to reflect the Resolution 533/2022 SENASA which modified slightly the flying periods that shall be considered for certification purposes. These changes have been identified in red in the translation of Annex II enclosed. We have also updated the financial exposure for fines at current ROE.

The Maritime, Port and Naval Industry Federation (FeMPINRA) has announced that several strikes will be implemented in the forthcoming weeks.

According to the last monthly report issued by our National Institute of the Water, in March 20203 the effect of La Niña phenomenon weakened and a transition to a neutral effect is expected in the southern autumn.

On 20th March 2023 the Argentine Coast Guards – Delta Zone issued a new Disposition (DISFC-2023-254-APN-PZDE#PNA) establishing new speed limits between Kms. 181 and 205 of the Pasaje Talavera branch of the Parana River. According to the disposition, as of 21st March 2023, the maximum speed for vessels sailing upriver is 9.5 knots; and downriver 10 knots (SOG) with an allowance of 5% in both cases – except between Kms. 183 ~ 186 where the vessels shall sail at their minimum speed compatible with good steering only.

Today, at Pandi we are celebrating our 52 anniversary as P&I Correspondents in Argentina and Paraguay, providing outstanding services to the maritime industry since 1970! We toast to our past, present and future! Grateful for all the support of our staff & maritime community!.

Following to our below Alert of 28/06/22 please note that after 8 days of strike and blockage of roads, trucks unions action has been lifted yesterday evenning. However the problem due to lack of fuel is still of concern. We will continue watching the situation and udating our alerts.

In relation to the Port Terminal LDC Argentina SA located at km 396,5 (North Berth) and Km 395.8 of Parana River for the loading of grain/by products and vegoils respectively the Argentina Coast Guard Authorities have issued on 23rd June, a note with recommendations to be considered for the arrival/departure drafts of those piers as you will note from the note

We are updating our COVID19 section. For enquiries please contact us at pandi@pandi.com.ar.

CURRENT STATUS (updated: 30/7/2021 @ 1:30): Ongoing strikes: NO (strike announced as of 30 July was suspended)
Current Alerts:
30/7/2021 @ 1:30: The strike called by the Argentine Port Stevedores Federation has been deactivated – for the time being – after holding up conversations with the Ministry of Labour. On 3 Aug the Union and the Authorities will meet.

As a consequence of the low waters affecting the Hydrological Basin formed by the Parana, Paraguay and Iguazú Rivers – the most important registered in the last 77 years – the President enacted Decree 482/2021 and declared the State of Hydrological Emergency on said area for 180 days. The Decree is enclosed here to in Spanish.

In previous Circulars we have informed about the critical situation observed on the Parana River due to historically low water (see Circulars 23, 26, 28, 32 and 42 for further information).

By way of update, please note, that in general terms, the season of critical low waters in the Parana River and River Plate basin continues: the lowest levels observed over the last 50 years.

In previous Circulars we have informed about the critical situation observed on the Parana River due to historically low water (see Circulars 23, 26, 28 and 32 2020) enclosed for further information).
By way of update please note whilst there was an improvement in March/April 2021, the level of the water commenced dropping towards the end of April and the situation remains critical.

As you may recall, after receiving various enquiries triggered by an OSRO provider (who approached various Owners informing about additional Oil Spill Response requirements imposed by Argentine Coast Guard when receiving bunkers at Zona Comun, off La Plata) we informed in our Circular 039/2020 the terms of Coast Guard’s letter which seemed to ratify that any vessel receiving bunkers at Zona Comun (whether tanker or not) should have in place preventive arrangements to respond to any oil spill within 60 minutes of occurrence (commonly referred as an “OSRO Certificate”).

Please note that recently the Coast Guard has commenced administrative enquiries against various vessels for breaching speed limits, mainly in the Rosario port area, between Km 434/435 Parana River, where the speed limit is currently 9 knots.

Further to our Circular  35/2020 informing on the new regulation issued by SENASA to prevent the entry of the GYPSY MOTH (enclosed) that was originally scheduled to enter into force as from 12th January 2021 , please note that through disposition  001/2021 DNPV/SENASA has been now postponed it until 12th April 2021, when the regulation will enter into force.

Due to recent enquiries received indicating that the Coast Guards at La Plata required to any vessel receiving bunkers at Zona Comun (off La Plata, within 12 miles from the coast) to have in place preventive arrangements to respond to any oil spill within 60 minutes of occurrence (commonly referred as an “OSRO Certificate”). This requirement applies to any vessel, whether a tanker or not.

As informed in our Circular 020/2020 dated 17th February 2020 the SENASA (NATIONAL HEALTH AND AGRI-FOOD QUALITY SERVICE) was working on a new regulation imposing specific measures related to the plague of certain breeds of the Lymantria Dispar, otherwise known as the “Gypsy Moth”.

Further to our Circular 29/2020 informing about Disposition 15/2020 enacted by Coast Guard by which the use of open loop scrubbers was limited as it was forbidden to discharge its wash water (or any other scrubber which requires discharge of wash water) in all jurisdictional waters (including internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone).

In previous Circulars we have informed about the critical situation observed on the Parana River due to historically low water (see Circulars 23, 26 and 28/2020 enclosed for further information).
By way of update please note whilst there was small improvement since June 2020, the situation remains critical and the forecasts do not anticipate any relevant improvements soon.

As informed on a previous circular (21/2020) Argentina is not a party to the Annex IV of MARPOL therefore the “2020 Sulphur cup” did not apply and there was no specific regulation on the use of scrubbers. However, the Coast Guard has enacted Disposition 15/2020 which came into effect on 10th August 2020 and it has forbidden the discharge of the wash water of the Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS or ‘scrubbers’) generated by the open loop systems in all jurisdictional waters, including internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.

Further to our Circulars 23/2020 and 26/2020, a new warning has been issued today by the Argentine Coast Guard in relation to the UKC, especially bearing in mind that due to the COVID-19 scenario the clearance of vessels is mainly performed remotely. Although there have not been recent groundings in the past couple of weeks – especially after the peak last May- the levels of water in the river would not improve significantly in the near future in accordance with the information forecasted by INA (National Water Institute).

Today is a special day for us in this new and challenging world. One day like today but in 1970 my dear father, Constantino Trigub Clover, founded Pandi Liquidadores SRL as a commercial correspondent office for the P&I Clubs in Argentina.

Further to our circular 023/2020 the Parana River is going through the worst low water levels in the last 50 years.
In accordance with the information provided by the National Water Institute (INA) the rains in the high basin of the Parana River were below the normal average and similar dry conditions were recorded in the Iguazu River as well as in the Paraguay basin which is due to a combination of weather and soil changes in a vast region.

Please be informed that the height of the water in the Plata Basin (Parana River / River Plate system) has been dropping below average and the forecast indicates that this tendency will continue during the following days. For this reason, the relevant Institute issued an Hydrological Alert and the Coast Guard circulated a note to all the parties concerned requesting to maximize caution with ship’s drafts when loading to avoid incidents.

The REGINAVE (Maritime, River and Lake Navigation Regime) is the main regulation concerning Navigation in Argentina in relation to the safety of the individuals, the vessels and environment. It is one of the main regulatory bodies which is under the control of the Prefectura Naval Argentina (PNA) (Coast Guards – CG), as Maritime Authority, who also investigates and, eventually, sanctions any infringement to it.

The Prefecto Naval Nacional Prefecto General René Scarzello and Mr. Sam Kendall-Marsden on behalf of the IGP&I signed the MOU which confirms the mutual commitment of both the Argentine Maritime Authority and the IGP&I to work collaboratively to rapid and efficient response to serious maritime casualties and incidents,especially those including actual or potential operations for the removal of wrecks or environmental damages or environmental threats.

Next year, in 2020, Pandi Liquidadores SSRL will turn 50 years. It is a family business founded in 1970 by Constantino Trigub Clover, and since then, acts as P&I Correspondent in Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. “Following my father’s, I am the third generation of the family in the business to keep it as leader P&I Correspondent, ensuring that the P&I Clubs and their Members continue having wtih whom being protected”

Please be informed that because of the G20 Summit which is taking place this week in Buenos Aires City public transportation and many areas will remain totally closed/inaccessible. For this reason our office will be closed as from Thursday 29th at 13:00 (lt) reopening on Monday 3rd December.

In the past we have issued several circulars related to problems encountered in Argentina in relation to customs fines and for payments required by customs officers when the vessels were visited by the Argentine Customs Search Gang and alleged discrepancies found between the store list presented upon arrival and those search gangs’ findings. All these problems were mainly because there was not any existing form which could give some uniformity as to what should or should not be declared upon arrival.

Following the success of the Seminar on Oil Pollution organized jointly with the Argentinean Coast Guards (Prefectura Naval Argentina – PNA) in May 2017 [see Circulare dated 10/5/2017], Pandi Liquidadores SRL has organized a new workshop between ITOPF and PNA on Oil Spill Response.

Pandi Liquidadores informs about a new modality adopted by the grain and vegetable oils port terminals mainly located along the Parana River affecting bulk carriers and tankers calling to those ports/terminals to load solid or liquid bulk cargoes.

Please be advised that there has been a recent change in draft restrictions for the access channel to San Nicolas New Port / Fiscal berths to 8.2m (subject to daily height of the river.)

On 22nd December 2017 the Laws N° 27,418 and 27,419 – enacting the new “Merchant Shipping Act” passed by the Congress on 22nd November 2017 – was published in the Argentine Official Bulletin.

This Circular replaces our Circular 008/2017 dated 27th October 2017 informing about the new resolution in place.

Please note that after the first days that the system came into force SENASA has clarified that in those cases where the Authorities of the country at disport require an official certification of holds/tanks to be issued by SENASA, then the cargo holds/tanks will be inspected with SENASA own surveyors, conversely to what has been initially informed. However, SENASA confirmed that nowadays there is not such a request from any country. Therefore, in practice, all the inspections would continue to be undertaken by the private companies on behalf of SENASA. For all grain cargoes as mentioned in the resolution.

We would like to call the attention of your members in relation to the following situation.

When one of the vessel’s anchors is missing the following scenarios should be taken into account by the owners:

As it is well known, the inspection of holds and tanks has been a longstanding problem within the industry, especially when an official inspection was required by the National Food and Grain Health Authority (SENASA).  These problems – related mainly to facilitation payments – have been a major concern of the new Authorities of SENASA who came into office at the beginning of 2016 and addressed these issues. They finally enacted resolution Nº 693E/2017, published on 23rd October 2017 and which will enter into force on 1st November 2017.

In the past we have issued various Circulars on Customs regulations related to the method of weighting solid bulk cargoes, which changed several times throughout the years. Previously, Customs Resolution 2914/94 gave the right to the importer/exporter to choose which method was employed to weight bulk dry cargoes. This changed with the General Resolution 3506/2013 which transferred such decision from the importers/exporters to the Customs House.

The event was attended by about 600 correspondents of 90 different countries at the outstanding venue Queen Elizabeth Conference Center. On this edition renowned speakers discussed a variety of topics related to the shipping business, P&I Insurance, loss prevention, claims management including an overview of different aspects of the P&I cover such as people claims, cargo risks, collision, FFO and Pollution, and towage, salvage and wreck removal.

In relation to the aforementioned matter, we have been informed that the Coast Guard Authorities of La Plata Station would increase the inspection of foreign vessels in relation to ballast water whilst anchored or waiting pilots at Zona Comun (anchorage area located off La Plata Port).

Further to our CIRCULAR 002/2017 by which it has been informed about the recent implementation of Resolution 85-E/2017 (Ministry of Environment) by the Sanitary Authorities at San Lorenzo port (requesting the certificates of chlorination of the ballast as a condition to grant the “free pratique”):

The seminar on pollution, organized by Pandi Liquidadores with Prefectura Naval Argentina (PNA), took place on 8th and 9th May 2017 on the Yacth Club Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires. Speakers from the Coastguards (PNA), IGP&I, ITOPF and IOPC Funds captured the attention of local and regional Authorities and different actors of the industry such as shiopowners, oil companies, port terminals, OSROs, lawyers and surveyors among others.

The seminar has the purpose of rising awarness on the private and public sectors regarding the importance and liability arising from pollution risks realted to the marine transport.

As from 18th April 2017 the Navigational Authorities established as main channel the “PASO CORTADA ISLA NUEVA” which goes from Km 335 to Km 345 of the Parana River, replacing the previous one which was round the island.

On 17th February 2005 Argentina ratified the “International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM), 2004” which was passed by Law Nº 27.011. Whilst the BWM Convention will enter into force on 8th September 2017, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable development enacted

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”.

On the insightful article, the spokesman Capt. Laborde from Chadwick Weir Navegación SA (Uruguay) reviews the origins of SAPIC, its activity and benefits. On this regard, the Uruguayan correspondent highlights that “SAPIC offers various benefits, providing an environment of unity and cooperation, and a forum for exchanging common experiences in the region

We have recently seen an increase of supernumeraries – mainly high ranked crewmembers’ wives – arriving to Argentina without holding the necessary VISA when required.

The Viña del Mar Agreement (VMA) on Port State Control issued a press release informing that a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Cargo Securing Arrangements will be carried our between 1st September and 30th November 2016.

“Crossing the Argentine Customs Minefield” is an updated review of Argentine Customs issues affecting the shipowners and other operators trading in Argentina, putting the main focus on the ship’s store list declarations.

In recent months we have seen an increase in the activity of the Argentinean Authorities regarding the disposal of garbage on board vessels, which has triggered a number of queries from Clubs and their members.

On  9th March 2016, the Argentine Coastguard has enacted Resolution 01/16, which gives effect to the provisions of rule VI/2 of the SOLAS and it will come into force 30 days after being published in the “Official Bulletin”.

The new state-of-the-art website of Pandi Liquidadores has been thought to give a good insight of the Firm and to publish updated information, relevant for the Clubs, their Members and, generally, the shipping community interested in the region.