Panama Canal tests just-in-time ship arrivals to cut waits at anchor
PANAMA Canal Authority (ACP) has implemented the just-in-time service (JIT) that will allow vessels to arrive at the Panama Canal much closer to scheduled transit times for a trial period.
This will allow vessels to have a more efficient fuel usage by having to remain at anchor for less time before actually beginning transit.
"This is part of our effort to explore options to better serve customers," Panama Canal administrator Jorge Quijano said. "The Panama Canal is not only committed to maintaining a high quality service, but also improvement in the necessary areas."
The trial period will focus on vessels equipped with a type A Automatic Identification System (AIS) device following a proof-of-concept trial which began in February 2013 to measure operational efficiency.
Vessels must be willing and able to adjust its itinerary to meet the required ETA. Furthermore, the vessels must comply with the ACP pre-inspection procedures.
To achieve an effective level of JIT service, the selected vessels will be notified 96 hours before their scheduled transit of their required ETA and tentative transit time. The Panama Canal will then use Satellite Automatic Identification System (SAIS) technology to track vessels within 2,000 nautical miles before arrival and ensure that they comply with stipulated ETAs.
Additionally, non-booked vessels may request to participate in the JIT service; however, participation will be confirmed after securing a booking slot for that specific transit date. If the booking slot is not obtained, the vessel will not be allowed to participate in the JIT service.
Two JIT service slots per day will be offered to regular vessels (under 27.74 metres or 91 feet abeam) without transit restrictions, with a maximum of one JIT service slot per direction. The allocation of these JIT service slots will be determined by the order the requests were received.
For more information on this service and application procedures, please refer to: http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2013/a-03-2013.pdf and http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2013/a-06-2013.pdf
PANAMA Canal Authority (ACP) has implemented the just-in-time service (JIT) that will allow vessels to arrive at the Panama Canal much closer to scheduled transit times for a trial period.
This will allow vessels to have a more efficient fuel usage by having to remain at anchor for less time before actually beginning transit.
"This is part of our effort to explore options to better serve customers," Panama Canal administrator Jorge Quijano said. "The Panama Canal is not only committed to maintaining a high quality service, but also improvement in the necessary areas."
The trial period will focus on vessels equipped with a type A Automatic Identification System (AIS) device following a proof-of-concept trial which began in February 2013 to measure operational efficiency.
Vessels must be willing and able to adjust its itinerary to meet the required ETA. Furthermore, the vessels must comply with the ACP pre-inspection procedures.
To achieve an effective level of JIT service, the selected vessels will be notified 96 hours before their scheduled transit of their required ETA and tentative transit time. The Panama Canal will then use Satellite Automatic Identification System (SAIS) technology to track vessels within 2,000 nautical miles before arrival and ensure that they comply with stipulated ETAs.
Additionally, non-booked vessels may request to participate in the JIT service; however, participation will be confirmed after securing a booking slot for that specific transit date. If the booking slot is not obtained, the vessel will not be allowed to participate in the JIT service.
Two JIT service slots per day will be offered to regular vessels (under 27.74 metres or 91 feet abeam) without transit restrictions, with a maximum of one JIT service slot per direction. The allocation of these JIT service slots will be determined by the order the requests were received.
For more information on this service and application procedures, please refer to: http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2013/a-03-2013.pdf and http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2013/a-06-2013.pdf