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Further to a National Cabinet meeting on 16 March 2020, a new regulation was introduced placing several restrictions and bans on transport to and from Argentina. Decree 274/2020 prohibits entry into Argentina by sea, air or land for 15 calendar days by non-resident foreign nationals and this timeframe may be extended or lifted by the

Introduction Calling upriver to load grains and by-products exposes the vessels to either drama or tragedy. It takes around 40 hours of pilotage to reach the terminals located up the Parana River from the pilot station in Recalada at the entrance of the River Plate. The usual risks associated with navigation in the Parana River

Introduction Local authorities have increasingly exercised their power to enforce local regulations concerning waste disposal and broadened the responsibility of vessels in this regard. It has become common practice for local authorities to request the compulsory discharge of waste from vessels, even if this action appears to go against commonly accepted international law that is

Introduction On 12 April 2021 a new regulation entered into force to combat the risk of Asian and Japanese gypsy moths being transported into Argentina. The new regulation addresses the requirements for vessels which have been to certain regions of concern in the past 24 months. According to the regulation, vessels will have to submit

Introduction A new Coastguard regulation has established the maximum speed between km 406 and km 435 of the Parana River. This regulation is the result of pressure from local dinghy sailors and yacht owners which have allegedly suffered damages while moored in this spot. The reported damages were allegedly caused by the waves that vessels

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has been working to reduce the harmful effects of shipping on the environment through the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (the MARPOL Convention). Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention was adopted in 1997 and addresses air pollution from shipping by limiting sulphur oxide emissions from ships

Introduction There are many legal issues that operators should be aware of when deciding to supply bunkers in Argentina, not to mention operational issues regarding: the lack of barges available; delays due to weather; and congestion during the grain season. In this context, the question of whether foreign-flagged ships involved in international trade are subject

Introduction Local authorities have increasingly exercised their power to enforce local regulations concerning waste disposal and broadened the responsibility of vessels in this regard. It has become common practice for local authorities to request the compulsory discharge of waste from vessels, even if this action appears to go against commonly accepted international law that is

Ships calling at ports on the Parana river are increasingly being asked to submit a pest control certificate to the Health Authority. Failure to comply with this request could require the ship to be fumigated. This update examines the current legislation in this regard. Legislation According to Article 8 of Act 11,843/1934, cabotage and foreign

Introduction Under the new Regulation 693-E/2017, the system for checking the cargo-worthiness of holds and tanks of ships and barges for the export of grains and their products and by-products will be compulsorily applied to all ships. The cargo-worthiness verification procedure aims to ensure compliance with the essential minimum requirements for storing grains and their

Introduction A number of indications suggest that shipping compliance in Argentina can be stressful. The requirements for operators regarding inward clearance are usually unclear and patience is required to understand how regulations are likely to apply. This is particularly true with regard to regulations concerning: the inspection of holds and tanks; garbage management plans; fumigation;

New regulation The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has issued a new regulation addressing ballast water treatment for vessels arriving from foreign ports. Pursuant to Regulation 85-E/2017, vessels calling at Argentine ports must apply a chlorination process to their ballast tanks as a measure to prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic species that could

Introduction The Parana River, which flows through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, is South America’s second-longest river and renowned for its strong current and shallow waters. Pilotage is compulsory for over 400 kilometres of the waterway and regarded as a public service. However, this service has been undertaken by private companies since the 1990s. While the

Introduction The majority of bulk carriers calling at Argentine ports must clean their holds after discharging and before loading the next cargo – normally grains and associated sub-products. Most charterparties include cleanliness clauses, which usually state that holds must be cleaned to the satisfaction of the surveyor appointed by the charterer or shipper. In general,

Introduction When a vessel arrives at an Argentine port, the migration authorities will proceed with crew and passenger clearance as to whether they stay onshore or at berth. If the only people on board are officers and crew members, it is more likely that there will be no issue with the clearance, as they do

Introduction A new Civil and Commercial Code entered into force on August 1 2015, which governs civil and commercial matters in Argentina. In this context, Argentine law – which follows the civil law system – has replaced the Commercial Code (1859) and the Civil Code (1869). The new code makes improvements to Argentina’s legal framework,

The Paraná River is renowned for its strong current, shallow waters and sandbanks, which are constantly shifting and exposing vessels to the risk of grounding. If a vessel runs aground, it is likely that the navigation channel will become obstructed due to its narrowness. In such case the coastguard will determine whether a suspension of

Introduction On May 28 2015 the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 will come into force in Argentina – 12 months after its ratification. It will add a new component to existing legislation in the sector. The convention, which entered into force in 2013, consolidates existing International Labour Organisation conventions and constitutes one of the main international

Introduction On December 10 2015 Mauricio Macri became president of Argentina. After less than a month in office, the new government introduced new international trade regulations. During the previous 12 years, former presidents Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner had promoted several protective measures, including: restraining traders from importing foreign products; limiting access to