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26 Apr 2016 / Panama Canal, Panama

Selection of first vessel to transit expanded Canal

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces the procedure for the selection of the vessel for the inaugural transit through the new locks of Agua Clara and Cocoli on June 26, 2016.

  • The inauguration of the expanded Panama Canal will take place on June 26, 2016. Only one Neopanamax vessel in a southbound direction will be allowed to transit on the inaugural day during daylight hours. Regular commercial transits through the new locks will begin on June 27, 2016.
  • The inaugural transit will be allocated among the top 15 Panama Canal customers, in accordance with the customer ranking used for bookings as of April 2016…
  • …The ACP has sent letters to its customers with the highest ranking inviting them to participate in the draw for the selection of the shipping line that will deploy the first vessel through the new locks. In the event that an invited customer declines its participation, ACP may send an invitation to the next customers on the list…
  • …A customer who has been invited and is interested in participating must indicate the name, vessel type and dimensions (length and beam) of the Neopanamax vessel(s) that it proposes to deploy on the inaugural day. The confirmation of willingness to participate must be submitted before 0900 hours on April 28, 2016.
  • The proposed vessel shall have a beam not greater than 49 meters and a length overall not greater than 366 meters. Gas carriers will not be considered for the inaugural transit for security reasons. The maximum draft allowed will be 12.5 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).
  • The draw will take place at 0900 hours non April 29, 2016, on the 1st floor of the Panama Canal Administration Building located in Balboa Heights…
  • …The winner of the draw is required to pay all costs associated with the inaugural transit including booking fees and related marine services…

(For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at [email protected])

Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-20-2016 dated April 22, 2016

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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