New Draft Restrictions for Parana River and River Plate

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising of a change to under keel clearance (UKC) rules on Parana River and River Plate in Argentina.

From November 25, 2016, the Coast Guard has advised that an under keel clearance (UKC) will be applied for vessels which transit Parana River and River Plate with a fresh water draft above 10.36 meters(m). The new restrictions will aid safe navigation.

Parana River
1. Draft between 10.37m to 10.49m, 3 centimeters for each centimeters of draft above 10.36m in addition to the compulsory UKC of 0.60m. For example, for a ship with a draft of 10.49m, additional UKC will be 0.39 m, total UKC will be 0.99m
2. Draft above 10.50m, UKC will be 10% of the static draft. E.g for a ship with a draft of 10.50 m, total UKC will be 1.05m.
River Plate
1. Draft between 10.37m to 10.67m, 1.5 centimetres for each centimeter of draft above 10.36m in addition to the compulsory UKC of 0.60m. E.g for a ship with a draft of 10.67m, additional UKC will be 0.47m, total UKC will be 1.07m.
2. Draft above 10.68m, UKC will be 10% of the static draft. E.g for a ship with a draft of 10.68m, total UKC will be 1.08m.

Until November 25, the current regulation in force is applicable and a compulsory UKC of 0.60m will be required for drafts up to 10.36m. One additional centimeter must be added for each additional centimeter of draft above 10.36m, up to a maximum of 0.90m in total. A load to a maximum fresh water draft of 10.36m is advised as mandatory from November 25, particularly for loaded ships going to discharge up river.

ISS Argentina will continue to monitor developments and keep its clients updated.