The Panama Canal has restored priority for container ships when certain Neopanamax reservation slots become available and introduced a process allowing first-time vessels to establish eligibility for its NetZero programme before reaching Panama.
The booking change took immediate effect under an October 30 advisory. Updated NetZero requirements apply from November 1.
During booking periods 1A and 2, cancelled or otherwise available Neopanamax slots will be offered through a special competition. Container ships receive first priority, followed by liquefied natural gas carriers, liquefied petroleum gas carriers and vehicle carriers or roll-on/roll-off ships.
The Canal Authority said the decision reverses a temporary arrangement introduced in July in response to changes in global shipping patterns. It said vessel traffic had since normalized.
Within each vessel category, the first applicable tiebreaker will be Transit TEU Allowance, a capacity measure used by the Canal, followed by customer ranking.
The NetZero changes concern ships making their first Canal transit. They must obtain a preliminary assessment from the Canal’s Admeasurement Unit before competing for a slot under the programme, which supports lower-emission and energy-efficient vessels.
That assessment establishes information including the vessel’s toll basis, Canal tonnage and engine type. It may draw on submitted documents and, when necessary, a physical inspection outside Panama.
Applicants must provide technical information, pay applicable charges and arrange access at the inspection port. Submitting a request alone does not establish eligibility.
Preliminary clearance also does not replace final checks before transit.
The authority warned that the watershed’s water deficit persists and that a reservation remains the only way to guarantee a transit date. Ships arriving without one could face very lengthy delays.
Sources: Canal Authority
