The 20-day old nationwide Health Authorities strike continues to cause delays, other civil servants join forces with strikers.
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. At Rio de Janeiro, free pratique may take 72 hours to be granted.
Although some ports are managing to reduce the impact of strike, there have been reports of delays to grant free pratique certificate the length of the country.
Shipping agents are continuing to apply for the free pratique through ordinary procedures even though local health branches are not fully
working. As an alternative, they are also applying via Dock Authorities who convey the applications to the Health Authorities' Headquarters.
Meanwhile, immigration officers have also begun a strike, joining othercivil servants. It is not currently clear what impact this strike is having on ships' clearance, but delays are expected in the coming days.
