According to GAC company website, some ports are managing to reduce the impact of strike but there have been reports of delays to grant free pratique certificate the length of the country. A free pratique certificate is issued by the port health authorites to certify that a ship is without infectious disease.
BRAZILIAN ports are facing problems in maintaining normal operations as the 20-day nationwide Health Authorities strike continues.
According to GAC company website, some ports are managing to reduce the impact of strike but there have been reports of delays to grant free pratique certificate the length of the country. A free pratique certificate is issued by the port health authorites to certify that a ship is without infectious disease.
Although local health branches are not fully working, shipping agents are continuing to apply for the free pratique through ordinary procedures. As an alternative, they are also applying via Dock Authorities who will pass on the applications to the Health Authorities.
On average, based on the current nationwide scenario, a free pratique certificate takes a minimum of 48 hours to be released at any Brazilian Port. But at Rio de Janeiro, it could take up to 72 hours for the certificate to be granted.
Meanwhile, the situation has been exacerbated with immigration officers also going on strike, joining other civil servants. It is not currently clear what impact this strike is having on ships' clearance, but delays are expected in the coming days.
