Cabinet Council News

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) held Tuesday a public hearing on the proposed modifications of its toll structure which culminated the period for receiving inquiries from the industry.The agency of the government of Panama responsible for the operation and management of the Panama Canal recently published a proposal to modify its current tolls structure for the dry bulk, passenger, containership, vehicle carrier and RoRo segments, as well as tankers, chemical tankers, LPG and LNG vessels, the intra-maritime cluster and minimum tolls.“The public hearing is an invaluable part of the process,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano.

Modifications to the Panama Canal tolls structure have been approved by the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama. After a thorough analysis of the current utilization and productivity of the Neopanamax Locks, and after meetings with Panama Canal executives, customers and industry representatives in Europe, Asia and North America, the proposed tolls modifications were officially announced on June 1, 2017. This was followed by a formal consultation period to ensure all interested parties could provide feedback for consideration.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) today held a public hearing on its tolls structure modifications proposal. “The modified tolls will safeguard the Canal's competitiveness, charge a fair price for the value of the route and provide a competitive service to the global shipping industry,” said Panama Canal Administrator, Jorge L. Quijano. The hearing follows the conclusion of a 32-day formal consultation period for industry feedback. All comments received both in writing and at the hearing will now be evaluated and analyzed by the Board of Directors…

Panama’s cabinet council has approved a request by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to modify the canal toll structure and implement volume-based discounts for container ships. The new toll schedule will take effect April 1, 2016. New tolls apply to all lanes, including the new third lane, according to the Panama authorities as reported by energy news provider Platts. It modifies the pricing structure for most canal segments and establishes a new segment specifically for LNG tankers - a key new market for the canal once the expansion is completed. "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…

The Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama has officially approved a proposal to modify the Canal tolls structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors. The accepted proposal—which modifies the pricing structure for most Canal segments—will better facilitate the Canal’s goal of providing outstanding service and reliability to the global shipping and maritime community while allowing the ACP to safeguard the competitiveness of the waterway.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is holding a public hearing today on a proposed toll structure change. The proposed restructuring, which the ACP Board of Directors approved on December 24, calls for each ship segment to be priced based upon different units of measurement. For instance, containers will be measured and priced on TEUs, dry bulkers will be based on deadweight tonnage capacity and metric tons of cargo, passenger vessels will be based on berths, LNG will be based on cubic meters and tankers will be measured and priced on Panama Canal tons and metric tons.

Implementation of new pricing for certain segments moved to October 2012 and October 2013; new tolls said to move Canal's price closer to value of services provided. Following the recommendation from the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the Cabinet Council of the Government of the Republic of Panama approved yesterday the proposal to restructure the Panama Canal’s pricing system. “The new tolls structure was conceived in accordance with the commercial value that the route offers its users. We look forward to working alongside the industry to continue offering a reliable and competitive service,” said Panama Canal Authority Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta. The new tolls were postponed to October 2012 and October 2013, respectively.

In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 18 of the Panama Canal Organic Law, upon recommendation by the ACP Board of Directors, the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama approved the following changes in tariffs for selected Transit Related Services: • An increase of 5.9% to the Regular Transit Related Tug Services rates, • an average general increase of 6% in the rates for Linehandling Services, and • other miscellaneous changes to the Tug and Linehandlers rates. These new tariffs will be effective March 1, 2004 and will be available at the following site by no later than January 23, 2004: http://www.pancanal.com/eng/maritime/tariff/index.html.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) held a public hearing giving Canal customers and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the modified pricing structure proposed by the ACP in early June of this year. Nearly fifty interested persons presented comments, with many expressing their appreciation for the recent improvements in safety and efficiency of Canal operations, but also saying that the percentage increase is too high and poorly timed. Subsequent to the hearing, the ACP will study the comments, as it considers the proposed changes in rates and pricing structure. If approved, the new pricing structure is anticipated to go into effect in October, 2002. The hearing was a significant step in the consultation process initiated by the ACP several weeks ago.

Following a recommendation from the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama today approved a new measurement and pricing system for full container vessels and other vessel types with on-deck container carrying capacity. “The bottom line is that we simply closed a loophole that prevented us from charging for containers carried on-deck,” said Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta. “Today, with some ships carrying more containers on-deck than in the ship’s belly, this new system is more equitable, more transparent and will provide the Canal with a fair price. The ACP included in the revised system several recommendations from informal and formal consultations with representatives from maritime associations…

The Panama Canal is nearing full capacity and should seriously consider expansion to continue to be a major player in world trade, according to maritime experts and Canal customers at the Panama Maritime VII Conference, held February 20-23. Participating in the event were Panamanian President Martin Torrijos, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Efthimios Mitropoulos, and several representatives of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), including Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta. For the past two years, the ACP has commissioned research and studies related to the Canal’s modernization and the future of the maritime industry, including whether to expand the waterway. At this time, a final decision on whether to expand the Canal has not been made.

The Cabinet Council of Panama voted to approve a two-phase increase in Panama Canal tolls. The first phase, an average increase of approximately 8 percent, will be implemented on October 1, 2002; the second phase, consisting of an average increase of 4.5 percent, will take effect in July 2003. The Cabinet Council characterized the new pricing structure, which was proposed by the ACP, as an innovative move toward a customized toll system that is based on vessel type and tonnage and will allow for a permanent modernization program for the Canal. In a further effort to address the specific needs of individual Canal customers, the Council approved a locomotive charge of $200.00 per wire.

In commemoration of the Panama Canal’s 88th Anniversary on August 15th, Panama President Mireya Moscoso inaugurated a modern Simulator Center with three state-of-the-art simulators that will be used for training Canal maritime personnel. President Moscoso was joined by Canal Administrator Alberto Alemán Zubieta, members of the Cabinet Council members, local and international guests of the maritime sector, and Panama Canal Authority (ACP) officials. The new Center includes the latest technological advances in maritime training and is valued at $1.8 million. The equipment for the center includes a 360- degree visual simulator; a 150-degree simulator and a third auxiliary tugboat simulator that reproduces the systems installed in the floating units of the Transit Resources Division.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that effective April 1, 2006, there will be rate increases for tug and linehandling services due to rising operating costs. The decision was made by the Republic of Panama's Cabinet Council, upon a recommendation from the ACP's Board of Directors. Rates for tug services will increase 7 percent and rates for linehandling services will rise 4 percent. Fees vary by vessel size. Rates for these services have not been increased since March 2004. However, increases in operating costs due primarily to sustained fuel hikes have impacted tugboat and linehandling services, making it necessary to adjust rates.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that effective April 1, 2006, there will be rate increases for tug and linehandling services due to rising operating costs. The decision was made by the Republic of Panama's Cabinet Council, upon a recommendation from the ACP's Board of Directors. Rates for tug services will increase 7 percent and rates for linehandling services will rise 4 percent. Fees vary by vessel size. Rates for these services have not been increased since March 2004. However, increases in operating costs due primarily to sustained fuel hikes have impacted tugboat and linehandling services, making it necessary to adjust rates. For more information on these increases, please refer to the ACP's Web site: www.pancanal.com.

The Chairman of the Panama Canal Authority's (ACP) Board of Directors announced recently its recommendation to build a new lane along the Panama Canal that will double capacity and allow more traffic. This is the result of comprehensive analyses and studies by the ACP. The project is estimated to cost $5.25 billion and will be paid entirely by users of the Canal through a graduated toll system. Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez M., Chairman of the ACP's Board of Directors, submitted the recommendation to President Martín Torrijos at a Town Hall meeting in Panama today. The president will discuss the recommendation with his Cabinet, make a recommendation to the National Assembly, and the process will culminate with the Panamanian people voting in a national referendum.

Panama have approved the proposal to expand the Panama Canal. Yesterday, Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez, Chairman of the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) Board of Directors and concurrent Minister for Canal Affairs, submitted the said proposal to the National Assembly. The National Assembly will review the proposal and hold discussions that will be open to all Panamanian citizens. If approved, the Assembly will then create a law mandating a referendum to be held after 90 days in which the people of Panama will vote on expansion. The Panama Canal expansion would be the largest project at the Canal since its original construction. The project would double the waterway’s capacity and allow more traffic by creating a new lane along the Canal through the construction of a new set of locks.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) held a public hearing in the Ascanio Arosemena Auditorium in Balboa, Panama, on its proposal to restructure the Panama Canal’s pricing system and certain regulations. Fourteen representatives from shipping and government participated in this opportunity to express their views. available to all interested parties. and Spanish, from individuals and groups. customers and the maritime industry to listen and receive their inputs. Panama Canal and its role in the global supply chain grow. Shippers moving goods from the U.S. Coast of South America to the U.S. alternative routes. the Panama Canal has significantly increased its value to its users. approval in the coming weeks.

The Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has published its proposal to restructure the Panama Canal’s pricing system and certain regulations. On February 2, 2007, the ACP announced its desire to move toward a charge that accurately reflects the commercial value of the service and route. After a 30-day public consultation period, the ACP conducted a hearing on March 14. The proposal announced today has been slightly modified from the February proposal: At the request of the industry, implementation of the new charges, for certain segments, has been postponed from May 2007 to July 2007. These segments include: general cargo, dry bulk, tankers, and vehicle carriers.

Following a recommendation from the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama approved the proposal to restructure the Panama Canal's pricing system and certain regulations. On February 2, 2007, the ACP announced its desire to move toward a charge that moves closer to the commercial value of the service and route. After a more than 30-day public consultation period, in which a total of 21 written submissions were received, the ACP conducted a hearing on March 14 where a total of 14 representatives from shipping and government expressed their views. On April 5, in response to industry requests, the proposal was slightly modified: implementation of the new charges, for certain segments, was postponed from May 2007 to July 1, 2007.

Former Comptroller General Dani Ariel Kuzniecky Barsky officially assumed his new position as chairman of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors at an inaugural ceremony conducted at the presidential palace last Monday. Among the first duties in his new role, Kuzniecky headed an ACP commission to present the second quarterly expansion report to the National Assembly of Panama. He also presided over the ACP Board of Directors meeting, where the proposal to restructure the Panama Canal's pricing system for the next three years was approved. Following the decision made by the Board, Mr. Kuzniecky submitted the proposal to the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama, which later provided final approval on the proposal Wednesday afternoon.