PANAMA's cabinet council of Panama has officially approved a proposal to modify the canal toll structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) board.
Today's passage follows more than a year of informal consultations with representatives from various industry segments, an open call for comments, and a public hearing to solicit industry feedback on these changes.
"After working in close cooperation with our partners in the maritime industry, I am pleased we will be able to provide a more bespoke pricing solution for our customers; one that recognises their various needs and requests, while still appreciating the value and reliability provided by the route," said Panama Canal Administrator and CEO Jorge Quijano.
Prices are now based upon different units of measurement to meet and align with the diverse traffic transiting the locks.
Containerships will continue to be measured and priced on TEU and passenger vessels will continue to be based on berths or PC/UMS. In addition, a new Intra Maritime Cluster segment has been created which includes local tourism vessels, marine bunkering and container transshipment vessels that do not compete with international trade.
Dry bulkers will be based on deadweight tonnage capacity and metric tons of cargo. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessels, will be based on cubic metres and tankers will be measured and priced on Panama Canal Universal measurement system (PC/UMS) tons and metric tons of cargo.
The tolls restructuring will also be implemented alongside a customer-loyalty programme for the container segment, a first for the ACP. Frequent container customers will now receive premium prices, once a particular TEU volume is reached.
The newly approved toll go into effect on April 1, 2016, except for the new Intra Maritime Cluster Segment which go into effect with this approval.
WORLD SHIPPING
01 May 2015 - 22:25
Panama's cabinet council approves new tolls that take effect April 2016
PANAMA's cabinet council of Panama has officially approved a proposal to modify the canal toll structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) board.
WORLD SHIPPING
01 May 2015 - 22:25
Panama's cabinet council approves new tolls that take effect April 2016
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