The National Customs Authority (ANA) is keeping on the table its proposal to establish a fee for the use of X-ray equipment for cargo. But it has not yet defined the amount of the fee, says a 'The Bulletin Panam' report. Since early this year the ANA, in conjunction with the Panama Chamber of Shipping (CMP) have been meeting to discuss the proposal of charging for this service, but the chamber’s position has always been that this is a national security issue and should be absorbed by the state. In the recent past, Maersk Line made a statement on the Government’s intention to establish this charge, pointing out that such a charge would diminish competition in Panama at a time when many ports in the region are investing heavily to position themselves as transshipment “hubs” before 2014.
