Ships run aground as low water levels pose threat to navigation in Argentina

The bulk carrier Berge Tateyama ran aground near kilometer 311.5 of the Paraná River while sailing downstream from San Martín. Multiple reports indicate low water levels at various points of the river in Argentina.

The ship transported 37,500 tonnes of soybeans from the Port of San Lorenzo to Las Palmas. It was discovered that the vessel partially blocked the channel, and tugboats were necessary to free the ship, as reported by the Maritime Bulletin.

According to reports from ComexLatam, several ships have reported shallow draft issues along different sections of the Paraná River. Initially, the captain of the Berge Tateyama reported such problems between kilometers 357 and 358 in the Yaguarón pass, which convinced him to interrupt navigation further down the river.

Other areas of the river with low water levels in Argentina were reported between kilometers 288,400 and 287 and between kilometers 357 and 356,200. The Jupiter Star reported a draft of 10.36 and sailed while touching the riverbed in an area where the depth was expected to be more than 11 meters.

A similar incident occurred with the ship Canopus, which touched the bottom with a draft of 10 meters in an area where the indicated depth was 11.46 meters. For some Waterway users, the fact that the reported depth is one meter less than the official measurement is considered a “scandal” and poses a navigation hazard.

“The presence of shallow draft problems indicates that the required maintenance dredging was not carried out according to the established plan. Now that the water level has receded, these issues have become evident,” said Gustavo Alonso, director of logistics at Waterway Dynamics, in an interview with ComexLatam.

The bulk carrier Berge Tateyama, registered under the flag of the United Kingdom, is affiliated with the company Berge Bulk Maritime PTE LTD. Constructed in 2020, the ship has a capacity of 63,511 deadweight tons, measures 199 meters in length and 32 meters in breadth, with a reported draft of 10.4 meters.

Furthermore, the Naval Hydrographic Service of the Republic of Argentina reported that the dredge “Draga Taccola” operates between kilometers 308.5 and 313 of the lower Paraná River. Dredging operations will also be conducted by the “Alburquerque” dredge (KM 314.9 to 325.8), “Capitán Nuñez” dredge (KM 380 to 392.2), and “Ñuñez C. Vaca” dredge (KM 403.4 to 408.7).

Source: Portal Portuário

To read the original news report, see: https://portalportuario.cl/argentina-buque-encalla-en-el-rio-parana-y-advierten-baja-profundidad-del-afluente/

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