Our correspondents in Argentina, Pandi Liquidadores, provides an update on shortages and customs fines relating to Soya Bean imports, after a historically dry season in the country.

The region comprising Latin America and the Caribbean is a busy one for the UK P&I Club. Some prominent Members have a large number of tons entered with the Club and have this region as their principal place of business. Moreover, many of the Club’s entered ships frequently call at Latin American and Caribbean ports regardless of where the Member is based, which can undoubtedly be anywhere in the world.  

Founded in 1543, Santos has been long known as a port city – first through the export of coffee and then other commodities. Santos was significantly modernised and expanded in the 1990s to incorporate new technologies, operating with specialised terminals for containers, general cargo, and dry and liquid bulk, and it is responsible for almost 27% of the country’s trade. Santos is considered the largest port in Latin America, with its docks being 25 km long and able to accommodate about 50 ships at a time.   

An oil spill is an ‘all hands-on deck!’ moment, inviting everyone from insurers, charterers, owners, the U.S. Coast Guard, local and state authorities, property, and ecological interests, and more to get involved. Tying all these parties together is the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (‘OPA’).

Recently, and in particular during the summer period, the Club has noticed a spike in stowaway cases, hence the below article serves as a refresher on what is already known as well as an update on the practical problems and implications for Owners that may arise in connection with the disembarkation and repatriation of stowaways.

The UK Club would like to draw Members' attention to the latest alert from our local correspondent Venepandi C.A related to the navigational hazard in the internal waters of the Venezuelan Caribbean Sea, specifically to the vessels that are heading towards the ports of eastern Venezuela.

While Brazil is a world-class shipping hub, trading to and from the regions presents unique challenges to the domestic and foreign-flagged ships calling at Brazil's ports,for both locally-based and overseas Members, the Club's examines current shipping trends in Brazil and provides valuable insight to assist with smooth sailing.

The Paraná River provides entrance to inland South America through Argentina from the Atlantic Ocean and acts as a grain super-highway for much of South America