Connect with us

Business

Gard issues alert on custom fines for alleged inaccuracies in customs declarations at Argentine ports

Gard says guidance by marine surveyor firm Simonsen advises Masters and officers to be particularly attentive when declaring goods such as bunkers and other ‘oils’ such as lube oil and hydraulic oil.
Admin

Published

2 years ago

on

post 56861

Maritime protection and indemnity (P&I) club Gard on Tuesday (4 July) published an alert on ship operators getting fined for alleged inaccuracies when filing customs declarations at Argentine ports and provides guidance on how to avoid such fines when calling at the ports:

Ship operators continue to be fined for alleged inaccuracies when filing customs declarations at Argentine ports. The accuracy of the figures declared is crucial as reported overage, or duplication of items, could be just as expensive as a “shortage”.

For more than a decade there has been a persistent issue of ships incurring fines at Argentina’s ports. 

The Argentine Customs Authorities are known for paying close attention to the details in each ship’s custom declarations and stores lists – and for imposing strict penalties for any discrepancies identified, as permitted under its Customs Code. And now, in July 2023, our correspondent Sigvart G.J. Simonsen & Cia. S.R.L reports that claims related to custom fines are once again on the rise in Argentina.

In an effort to enhance uniformity in the application of customs regulations in the country, Argentine Customs Authorities issued General Resolution 4317 on 10 October 2018. The Resolution approved a set of forms to be used by vessels declaring any stores on board upon arrival at an Argentine port. We list below individual links to the forms:

Although these forms provide some uniformity, there are items in the lists which may still be unclear. One example is in form OM 1647 (Engine Store List), where the form refers to “other oils”. However, it does not clarify if quantities of lube oil in the sump tank should be declared or not or if the volume of lube oil should be measured with the engines running or not.

It is therefore important that ship operators continue to remind their Masters of ships calling Argentinean ports to be particularly vigilant and attentive when filling in the customs declaration and ship’s stores list, also when using the forms from 2018. We also recommend contacting the ship’s local agent well before arrival to ascertain the customs and immigration regulations in force in Argentina at that given time and the documentation required.

Guidance for Masters

The Guidance for Masters – Key Points when Declaring Store Lists Before the Argentinian Customs House by Simonsen provides a summary of its recommendations on how to avoid fines when calling at Argentine ports. The guidance provides helpful advice based on the correspondent’s extensive case experience and we recommend that ship operators forward a copy of this to all ships likely to call at Argentine ports. Furthermore, while the guidance stresses the importance of declaring accurate figures for all consumables onboard, including avoiding duplication of items, it advises Masters and officers to be particularly attentive when declaring goods such as:

  • paints, thinners, and other chemicals
  • bunkers and other “oils” such as lube oil and hydraulic oil
  • electronic appliances, including crews’ personal effects
  • cigarettes and alcohol
  • spare parts, including engine and deck inventories

In case of any doubt, e.g. if requested to sign an unfamiliar document or language and cultural differences make communication difficult, ask for the agent’s and/or the P&I correspondent’s assistance.

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP from Unsplash
Published: 1 August, 2023 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Digital platform

Ofiniti eBDN solution chosen by FincoEnergies for marine biofuel ops in ARA region

Development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.
Admin

Published

19 hours ago

on

June 17, 2025

By

FincoEnergies MT

Rotterdam-based FincoEnergies, an independent, leading supplier of (bio)fuels and decarbonisation services for the transport sector, will be adopting Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN technology, with operational support from VT Group.

The development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

“Schedules are becoming increasingly tighter as demand for sustainable biofuels grows,” explains Leon Arets, Trading & Operations Director at FincoEnergies.

“We’re adopting a platform that enhances structure and responsiveness. This digital leap allows us to not only scale efficiently but also deliver greater transparency and operational excellence to our clients.”

A spin-off from global assurance and risk management leader DNV, Ofiniti brings together deep industry know-how with cutting-edge technology. Its flagship platform, FuelBoss, is designed to replace cumbersome manual processes with streamlined digital workflows that boost efficiency and data reliability.

“Our work with LNG suppliers laid the groundwork,” notes Oliver Brix Sparsø, Global Director of Sales at Ofiniti. “But this collaboration with FincoEnergies and VT Group marks the first large-scale commitment to digital delivery workflows for biofuels. It’s a turning point for the region.”

FincoEnergies’ mission, Decarbonising the transport industry together, is grounded in collaboration and innovation. The partnership with Ofiniti and VT Group exemplifies this spirit, combining technological leadership with operational expertise.

“As operators, we continuously look for ways to improve life on board and support our partners,” adds Wouter van Reenen, Business Development Manager at VT Group. “FuelBoss is a strong fit for our operations and those of our chartering clients.”

Related: Ofiniti to digitalise Azane ammonia bunkering operations across Scandinavia
Related: Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore
Related: Global Fuel Supply to adopt FuelBoss by Ofiniti for e-BDN in West Africa
Related: Ofiniti appoints Oliver Brix Sparsø as new Global Director of Sales
Related: Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions
Related: Singapore: FuelBoss by Ofiniti becomes sixth whitelisted e-BDN solution
Related: Digital bunkering platform Ofiniti successfully spun out from DNV
Related: FuelBoss to continue under new DNV company Ofiniti

 

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 17 June 2025

Continue Reading

Business

China: Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port to promote bunker fuel blending business

Development will help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry, noted the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office.
Admin

Published

23 hours ago

on

June 17, 2025

By

Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port meeting

A meeting between representatives of Shanghai Zhongran, Shanghai Port Energy, PetroChina Shanghai Port, and Hongkou Customs took place at the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office on Thursday (12 June).

According to Shanghai Zhongran, the meeting’s objective was to discuss the implementation of a high-sulfur and low-sulfur fuel blending business at Shanghai.

During the meeting, a member of the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office stated it will take the opportunity of PetroChina Shanghai Port to carry out this business to promote the development of enterprises in Hongkou District.

The development will improve the utilisation rate of Shanghai Zhongran bonded storage tanks, improve storage functions, and help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry.

After the meeting, PetroChina Shanghai Port submitted a formal application to Hongkou Customs.

Moving forward, Hongkou Customs will formulate a reconciliation plan, open a special account book, and promote the implementation of this business.

 

Photo credit: Shanghai Zhongran
Published: 17 June 2025

Continue Reading

Newbuilding

NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.
Admin

Published

23 hours ago

on

June 17, 2025

By

Green Future MT

NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Related: Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK
Related: Japan: NYK to time-charter its first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

 

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

Continue Reading

Trending