ARGENTINA READIES 600,00 TONNES OF PEARS, APPLES FOR EXPORT
Feb, 02, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros Week 202405 Approximately 600,000 tonnes of pears and apples harvested in the Alto Vale de Rio Negro, Argentina, are set to depart from the Port of San Antonio Oeste this week. This marks the beginning of this season’s export cycle, with a projected 20% increase compared to the previous export campaign, according to the data from the provincial government. The fruit’s first destination will be Brazil. From there, they will be shipped to other countries, including Russia, the primary buyer of fruits produced in the Alto Vale. In this context, Facundo Fernández, the Fruit Growing Secretary of Rio Negro, explained that the region enjoys “favorable harvesting conditions, aided by the recuperation of high-quality yields that meet international standards.” “This year, the weather has been more in line with what we traditionally see in the region; we have not experienced late frosts or hailstorms, which favors the production of clean and defect-free pears,” he noted. Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo) Moreover, he emphasized that “although the cost structure is very high, the favorable exchange rate, which should boost the province’s export economy, nourishes our hopes.” Regarding Russia, the main buyer of Rio Negro’s fruits, Fernández stated, “Due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, several shipping companies restricted the entry of our products. This situation has been remedied in advance this year, allowing us to recover the market share lost due to the conflict.” The pears and apples harvest in the Rio Negro Valley generates a significant volume of employment each year, with activities extending until May. Source: Ámbito Click here to access the original text in Spanish: https://www.ambito.com/economia/mas-600000-toneladas-fruta-rionegrina-parten-el-exterior-n5935906 Sharing is caring!
COURT ORDERS SÃO FRANCISCO DO SUL TO ISSUE FEASIBILITY CERTIFICATE FOR NEW PORT
Jan, 22, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros Week 202404 The city government of São Francisco do Sul will have to to comply with the ruling of Justice Luiz Fernando Boller, which demanded the emission of a Viability Certificate for the maritime port project Porto Brasil Sul. The company “Worldport Desenvolvimento Portuário S/A” plans to establish the port at the mouth of Babitonga Bay, specifically in the Praia do Forte region. The certificate must be issued by the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Urbanism (Seinfra) and petitioned by the Municipal Attorney General’s Office by February 14. Otherwise, the city will be subject to a daily fine of R$500. The legal process around the port has been ongoing since 2018. In 2016, São Francisco do Sul issued the certificate, which has a one-year term. After its expiration, Worldport requested a renewal, which was denied by the public entity. Following that, Worldport filed a lawsuit, asking the court to enforce the issuance of the license. Initially, the court ruled that the city had the right to deny the certificate. However, Worldport appealed, and the request received a favorable opinion from the Justice, shifting the course of the process. The recent determination was based on a prosecutor’s argument, leading the judge to order São Francisco do Sul to issue the certificate. According to the city’s administration, a request was filed with the Secretariat of Union Heritage (SPU) on November 8, 2022, to establish a conservation unit in the area. As per the municipality, a new request was made on December 19, 2023, to safeguard the preservation area. Additionally, local legislators are deliberating the revision of the municipal master plan, which, among other issues, addresses the possibility of new port facilities in the city. São Francisco do Sul also cited that establishing ports anywhere in Brazil undergoes final scrutiny by the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq). Environmental licensing is conducted by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama). The Terminal Gás Sul (TGS) is located in Ponta do Sumidouro and has the potential to engage in gas commercialization. Source: São Francisco do Sul City Hall
PORT OF SANTOS PLANS PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, TERMINAL EXPANSION
Jan, 24, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros Week 202404 After a year of slow motion, the Port of Santos is drawing up new expansion plans and intends to accelerate its growth projects, said Anderson Pomini, the president of the Santos Port Authority (APS). The state-owned company intends to launch two public-private partnerships (PPPs) by the end of 2024: one for the deepening of the access channel and the other for a tunnel connecting the cities of Santos and Guarujá. The company has also officially ruled out the idea of a new container megaterminal, which had been dubbed STS 10. On the other hand, it is studying the expansion of the terminals of Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) and Santos Brasil by about 1.5 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units of containers) through contract addendum, without the need for a tender, he said. In office since April 2023, Mr. Pomini said he agrees with the port market’s criticism that the past year has been practically a waste of time in terms of progress for Santos. But he said the scenario is different in 2024. “This year, I have an obligation to enforce speed. To do that, I needed three things: the removal of the port from the privatization program, which slowed down the contracting; more funds; and the delegation of competencies [a measure that decentralized decisions on auctions and planning to the APS]. All three have been resolved.” One of the main demands of the port operators is the deepening of the port’s access channel to 17 meters from 14.5 meters, which would allow larger ships to pass through. According to Mr. Pomini, the tender for the works to deepen the channel to 16 meters is expected to be published in the first half of the year. The deepening to 17 meters would be done through a PPP. “We are studying with the BNDES [Brazilian Development Bank] a concession for dredging and other related services, for 25 or 30 years.” The funds for the project would be the same as what APS already spends on dredging today. “The annual maintenance budget is R$300 million.” Another PPP that the port authority plans to launch this year is the Santos-Guarujá tunnel, a project included by the federal government in the Lula administration’s New Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) and whose leadership has been disputed with the São Paulo government. According to Mr. Pomini, the idea is to use APS’s cash, which currently stands at around R$2.9 billion, to pay for up to 50% of the tunnel’s construction—as of the third quarter, cash reserves totaled R$2.3 billion. There would be no consideration over the course of the contract, he said. “The 50% could go down, depending on the modeling that is done and the competition.” The federal government could split the contribution to the construction of the tunnel with the state, but Mr. Pomini said the federal government has taken on the entire amount because the state’s contribution would be financed by BNDES. “If it’s going to be 100% federal funds, we’ll do it through the federal government.” When contacted, the state government said it has “financial and fundraising availability” for the project and that the amount was not included in this year’s annual budget law because the work would not begin until 2024. The government also said that “the only existing executive project for the tunnel” was carried out by the state and is being updated. In addition to the PPPs, the port authority is planning a new route to expand the port’s container terminals. Mr. Pomini has decided to put an end to the STS 10 project, which would be a megaterminal in the city of Santos, which would have had an annual capacity of 2.3 million TEUs. Instead, APS is proposing to expand the terminals of BTP (controlled by Maersk and MSC) and Santos Brasil, annexing adjacent areas, which would be done by means of a contract addendum, without the need for a tender, he said. Together, the two expansions would add 1.5 million TEU of capacity per year. In the case of BTP, the idea is to incorporate part of the area that would be included in the STS 10. “We can classify it as a non-tenderable area. For example, if there’s a public pier and a port back-up area used by BTP, I can avoid a bidding process because it’s in the public interest for BTP to increase its capacity and for a public pier to be implemented. There are legal instruments that allow merger without a bidding process.” In the case of Santos Brasil, the annexed area must be cleared because it is currently occupied by precarious housing. “It’s an easier case because it’s a non-bidding area. We’ll remove the houses on stilts, and in return the company will invest in the construction of these houses.” The chart below provides a comparison between container exports and imports through the Port of Santos between January 2019 and November 2023. The data provided below is from the DataLiner data service. Despite Mr. Pomini’s plans, sources in the sector say that neither group has been formally approached and that there has been no concrete proposal. They also say that there is interest in expanding capacity, but everything depends on the terms of the counterparts. One source also points out that the companies already have investments underway as a result of early contract renewals—Santos Brasil’s was signed in 2015 and BTP’s in 2023. When contacted, BTP said that it “believes it is essential to increase the capacity of the Port of Santos” and that it is “closely following all the projects and ideas that are being developed.” Santos Brasil said it is “available to collaborate in projects to develop the container sector in the port.” Another APS plan to expand capacity would be to build a new container terminal on the island of Bagres. However, Mr. Pomini said this is not a short-term project. It would still be necessary to make changes in the public area of
APM TERMINALS COMPLETES LAND PURCHASE FOR SUAPE TERMINAL
Jan, 26, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros Week 202402 APM Terminals Suape has completed the purchase of approximately 500,000m², the latest stage in the development of a fully electrified terminal which is expected to boost trade, employment and development in Brazil’s northeast. With the finalisation of the purchase of land at the Governador Eraldo Gueiros Port Industrial Complex (Suape), Pernambuco, plans to commence operations in the second quarter of 2026 are on track, with work due to commence this month and next, said APM Terminals in a statement. In 2022, the Maersk-owned port operator won the judicial auction for the acquisition of the Isolated Production Unit of Estaleiro Atlântico Sul (EAS) land. Since then, APM Terminals has taken several legal steps to complete the deal, made official with the signing of the land purchase. During this period, the company has also worked on developing the project’s construction project. APM Terminals Suape will be the first 100% electrified terminal in Latin America and will have modern infrastructure, fully planned to meet customer needs, with pioneering initiatives in port sustainability, according to APM Terminals, which said it will also be able to handle up to 400,000 TEUs per year and will increase the capacity of the port complex by 55%. The chart below provides a comparison between container exports and imports at the Port of Suape from Jan 2019 to Nov 2023. The data is a courtesy of DataLiner, a Datamar product. Suape Port Exports & Imports | Jan 2019 – Nov 2023 | TEU Chart Line chart with 2 lines. The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories. The chart has 1 Y axis displaying TEU. Data ranges from 322 to 9711. TEUExpImp20190120190320190520190720190920191120200120200320200520200720200920201120210120210320210520210720210920211120220120220320220520220720220920221120230120230320230520230720230920231102,5k5k7,5k10k12,5k End of interactive chart. Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo) The new terminal will feature a complete environmental management system, waste management, wastewater treatment and groundwater flow modeling for pollution control, while it will also have its own 5G network, which will make it possible to transmit information in real time to customers, 24/7. In addition, remote-controlled RTGs (Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes), will increase remote operational agility, positively impacting productivity and ensuring greater safety. Source: APM Terminals and Container-News
LATIN AMERICAN SOY CRUSH TO RISE IN 2024 ON CROP RECOVERY, HIGHER BIODIESEL MANDATE
Jan, 04, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros Latin American soybean crushing volumes are likely to increase consistently in 2024 on the back of a recovery in Argentina’s crop output and a higher biodiesel mandate set for Brazil. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights’ estimates, the combined crush for Argentina and Brazil is pegged to reach 92.10 million mt in 2024, jumping 15.3% from 2023, when Argentina saw its harvest cut by around half following a historical drought. Argentina lost its top position for soybean meal to Brazil in 2023 because of a historic slump in raw bean production led by drought conditions and subsequent tightening of byproducts stocks. Argentina’s soybean harvest For marketing year 2023-24 (April-March), S&P Global predicts the Argentinian soybean harvest at 50.50 million mt, more than double in comparison with 22 million mt in the previous season. “Most crucial aspect for soybean value chain is the availability of raw material. In this new campaign 2023-24, the El-Nino phenomenon corrected the lack of soil moisture and allowed a correct planting season,” said Javier Preciado Patino, agriculture analyst and former undersecretary of the agricultural markets at Argentina’s agriculture ministry. “Right now, 97% of the soybean plots in Argentina are in normal to excellent condition. We hope a 48 [million]-50 million mt output, that would allow the oilseed industry to recover its average crushing,” Patino said. Over the previous three years, Argentina faced the consequences of the La Nina weather pattern, which brings below-normal rains. However, wetter conditions observed this time due to a strong El Nino supported local crop development. There is certain optimism among market participants with the country’s new president, Javier Milei, who took office Dec. 10. The new government has raised the official forex rate to Peso 800/$1 and set a blended exchange for agricultural exporters, combining 80% of the official currency with 20% of the free one CCL. On the other hand, Buenos Aires intends to raise the export tariffs for soybean meal and oil. “Argentina soybean industry will recover its average level of crushing activity in this new campaign 2023-24. The only threat is the decision of the government to increase the export taxes of the byproducts from 31% FOB price to 33%, a policy that could boost the soybean exports instead the byproducts,” Patino said. Throughout 2023, spot prices for FOB Upriver soybean meal cargoes surpassed those seen in Brazil’s FOB Paranagua, contrasting with a historical pattern as Argentina is used to trading below Brazil because of logistical and geographical issues. The soybean meal FOB Upriver outright price gained 5.9% in 2023 through Dec. 22 to reach at $446.38/mt, according to S&P Global data. The FOB Paranagua value, in turn, gained 0.6% in the period to reach at $448.75/mt.
BRAZIL SETS PHYTOSANITARY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALMOND IMPORTS FROM ARGENTINA
Jan, 04, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros The Ministry of Agriculture has established the phytosanitary requirements for importing almonds from Argentina. The normative instruction was published in today’s Official Gazette and will come into effect on February 1, 2024. According to the new guidelines, for Brazilian imports, almonds (Prunus dulcis) with shells (category 3) and without shells (category 2) must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by Argentina‘s National Phytosanitary Protection Organization (ONPF). The certificate must declare that the product has been inspected and is free from the pests Amylois transitella, Ampoyelois ceratoniae, and Cydia pomonella. Shipments will undergo inspection upon entry, and samples may be collected for phytosanitary analysis in official or ministry-accredited laboratories. The costs of shipping the inspected material will be borne by the interested party, and it is at the discretion of the inspection authorities to decide whether the interested party can retain the remainder of the shipment until the end of the inspection process. Source: Globo Rural Click here to read the original news report: https://globorural.globo.com/politica/noticia/2024/01/governo-define-regras-para-importacao-de-amendoas-da-argentina.ghtml
ARGENTINA GRAIN HIT BY 66% REVENUE DROP FROM EXPORTS
Jan, 04, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros In December 2023, Argentine grain and derivative exports yielded a revenue of $1.246 billion. While this amount reflects a 66% decrease compared to December 2022, it marks a 24% increase from November 2023. The data disclosed by the Chamber of the Oilseed Industry of the Argentine Republic (Ciara) and the Center of Grain Exporters (CEC), entities representing 48% of Argentina‘s total exports, sheds light on the challenges and dynamics of the industry. Over 2023, the accumulated revenue reached $19.742 billion, indicating a 51% decline compared to 2022. According to both organizations, the influx of currency in December was partly influenced by the country’s drought in the 2022/23 season, leading to the sale of available grain stocks. The primary product exported by the sector is soybean meal, accounting for 14.2% of the total traded abroad by the country. Corn (11% of the total) and soybean oil (6.9%) are closely followed closely. Source: Broadcast Agro Click here to view the original text: http://broadcast.com.br/cadernos/agro/?id=T1NTU2RvTGZ4WlU4UWxBWXdCQVNYQT09
PORT OF SHANGHAI: WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT FOR 14TH YEAR
Jan, 04, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros The container throughput of Shanghai Port reached 49 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023, ranking first globally for 14 consecutive years. Currently, Shanghai Port’s container routes cover over 700 ports in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide, with over 320 weekly deliveries. Shanghai Port has also successfully joined the ranks of the world’s first ports equipped with liquefied natural gas bunkering capabilities and collaborated with the Port of Los Angeles to establish the world’s first trans-Pacific green shipping corridor. Source: Shanghai International Services
BRAZIL TARGETS ASIA, EUROPE TO EXPAND MEAT EXPORTS
Jan, 04, 2024 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros Brazil is negotiating with countries in Southeast Asia and Europe to open new markets or expand exports to those who already buy Brazilian agricultural products, especially meat. Exporters expect to see some results from these efforts this year. In November and December alone, about 10 audits were carried out in Brazil by importing countries to increase the number of slaughterhouse licenses. Representatives from the European Union, the United States, Russia, China, East Timor, and Mexico were in the country in the last two months of the year. The Philippines and South Korea each carried out two audits. The evaluations varied in scope. The most anticipated was that of China, the country’s main buyer of beef and pork, but representatives from Russia and South Korea also visited meat industries—in the case of the Koreans, in areas free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. The chart below compares containerized exports of beef and pork from Brazil to China between Jan 2019 and Nov 2023, according to data obtained with DataLiner, which is Datamar’s maritime intelligence service. Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo) “Brazil has been negotiating with different markets, such as China itself. We don’t know the outcome yet, but we hope Brazil will be able to expand exports,” Paulo Mustefaga, president of the Brazilian Association of Meat Packers (Abrafrigo), told Valor. He noted that the Philippine authorities also recently undertook a mission to increase the number of Brazilian meatpackers licensed to sell to that market. According to Mr. Mustefaga, there are also negotiations with Indonesia to expand. To open up, he said South Korea is a Brazilian target as a major importer of meat. “Japan is another country on the radar for fresh meat, but negotiations still need to expand,” he said. Without setting deadlines, the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) said that among the markets that could open up for pork in the coming years, the most promising are Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Colombia. “We also hope to expand markets in South Korea and Japan, which only buy products from Santa Catarina, which used to be the only foot-and-mouth-free zone in the country. Now, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Acre also meet this condition,” said Ricardo Santin, the organization’s president. In the case of chicken, ABPA highlights the negotiations with El Salvador and Guatemala, as well as with the countries of the Caribbean Community. For eggs, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Russia are the highlights. Also according to ABPA, the European Union authorities are expected to approve the “pre-listing” system for Brazilian slaughterhouses— when qualification does not depend on a new order from the importer and is approved by the national government’s technicians. European technicians carried out inspections in Brazil in 2023. Roberto Perosa, Secretary for Trade and International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, revealed that he expects restrictions on Brazilian poultry exports to the EU to be lifted in the first months of this year. Trade has been restricted since 2017 due to the outbreak of anti-corruption Operation Weak Flesh—which investigated more than thirty companies accused of adulterating the meat they sold in domestic and international markets. “We have to wait a while for the final report to be prepared and sent, but our impression is that the inspection was very good and that we will be able to resume exports without any kind of restriction. The expectation is huge and very positive that in the first two months of the year, the report will be finalized and Brazil will be informed of the possibility of increasing exports without the restrictions that were in place,” said Mr. Perosa at a recent press conference. Processes are also underway to increase shipments of Brazilian agricultural products to countries in the Americas. In 2023 alone, almost half of the market openings will be to the continent’s neighbors. The accelerated growth of the Mexican economy, for example, and the recent openings to ship beef and pork from Brazil there, have already promoted a leap in bilateral trade relations. Exports of Brazilian coffee to Mexico more than quadrupled to 22,700 metric tonnes between January and November 2023. Revenue from these sales increased to $70 million from $17 million. “We have a strong focus on these two axes, which are the Americas and Asia,” Mr. Perosa added. Throughout 2023, 78 new markets were opened in 39 countries, taking into account all the products of the Brazilian agribusiness. Source: Valor Econômico Click here to read the original text publication: https://valorinternational.globo.com/agribusiness/news/2024/01/04/brazil-targets-asia-europe-to-expand-meat-exports.ghtml
What are the shipping industry trends to look out for in 2024?
Jan 02, 2024 Richard Johnson-Brown, marine and shipping partner at Keystone Law The EU’s Emission’s Trading System for shipping, the resurgence of piracy, and electronic trade documentation are all trends to keep a watchful eye on in the new year according to Keystone Law. Richard Johnson-Brown, marine and shipping partner at Keystone Law | Jan 02, 2024 The shipping industry has faced multiple challenges over the past year with global conflict (with the added cost and supply chain disruption that this causes), a greater push for sustainability, and a gradual (and sceptical) adoption of technological advancements. These will continue to gather pace and affect the shipping industry in 2024. EU Emissions Trading System From 1 January 2024, ship operators will need to purchase carbon credits on the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), where the ship calls in at least one EU port. To start with, operators will need to buy credits reflecting 40% of the ship’s emissions on the voyage, but this percentage will increase year on year until 2027, when operators will in some cases need to buy credits reflecting 100% of the ship’s emissions on the voyage. Operators will also have to monitor and report on their ships’ emissions. Related: Chartering under EU ETS demands full emissions visibility In charterparties, owners are responsible for purchasing these credits, but they may effectively pass the cost of these on to charterers as they arise from the charterers’ employment of the ship. Disputes may arise between owners and charterers under time charterparties where the number and cost of the credits required for a voyage allegedly appear from not only charterers’ employment of the ship, but also from the poor condition of the ship – these may factor, for example, in off-hire and underperformance disputes (assuming also that the carbon credits purchased reflect the ship’s actual emissions). The UK Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 Another modernising and decarbonising measure is the adoption of electronic bills of lading. The UK Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 seeks to pave the way for a transition from the use of paper bills of lading (in addition to other related shipping documents) to electronic ones. There is, unfortunately, a chicken and the egg scenario. Given the risk of hacking and other related cybercrimes, the Act requires a “reliable system” to be in place to ensure the security of the e-bill. A number of e-bill platforms/systems have existed for some time but what constitutes a “reliable system” according to the Act will be clarified by the English courts in due course as and when disputes arise about the reliability of any such systems. This will take time and the interim uncertainty may well slow the adoption of e-bills – although generally operators may not oppose the transition to e-bills as a matter of principle, certain operators may prefer to wait until the parameters of a “reliable system” have been defined in more detail by the courts and legal frameworks for e-bills are codified in other jurisdictions. However, if systems are not tried and tested by operators, they cannot be tested by the courts. Resurgence of piracy A challenge that has arisen towards the end of 2023 and will continue into 2024 will be the resurgence of piracy in the Red Sea. Already, many well-known operators are choosing to sail around the Cape of Good Hope instead of sailing through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal (adding significant time and cost to the voyage). Whilst the safety of crews should be of paramount importance when making routing decisions, given the added time and cost of re-routing ships, disputes may arise between owners and charterers about when (and with what added protection/assistance) it may be safe to sail through the region. Shipping companies need to be prepared and have frameworks in place to navigate these challenges in 2024 but also to take advantage of opportunities that are brought by advancing technology. Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.