Club correspondents C Fernie & Co have advised the Club that the Panama Canal Authority has imposed a fresh water surcharge to take effect from 15 February 2020.
A fixed fee of USD 10,000 is applicable to vessels over 38.1 mtrs LOA and a variable fee based on the vessel's tolls, ranging from a minimum of 1 percent to a maximum of 10 percent. The percentage to be applied will depend on the level of Lake Gatun at the time of transit.
The Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No. A-02-2020 has further details including information about the Booking system and the new Vessel Visit Creation fee (ETA Fee)
The reasons for these new measures are lack of rainfall in 2019 which was reported to be the fifth driest in the last 70 years, and high level of evaporation due to a rise in average temperatures of 0.5c to 1.5c.
The full text of the Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No. A-02-2020 can be read here.
Our thanks for correspondents C Fernie & Co for this update.
