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25 Jun 2020 / Panama Canal, Panama

Update on submittal of information regarding maneuvering fuel

Effective July 1, 2020, vessels arriving to the Panama Canal shall provide information on the type of fuel they intend to use while in Panama Canal waters by uploading this information to the Fuel Declaration menu on the Panama Maritime Single Window (VUMPA). It will no longer be necessary to forward a copy of the corresponding Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) to [email protected] for evaluation.

Similarly, vessels that intend to use compliant scrubbers as per Section 31 of Panama Canal Notice to Shipping N-01-2020, are required to upload all relevant information to the aforementioned Fuel Declaration menu. For these vessels, it will no longer be required to forward copies of the IAPP Certificates and their Supplement to [email protected].

The available options for types of fuels will be: Distillate, Residual, LNG, BioFuel, and Other.

Following is a quick reference guide to assist in selecting the applicable fuel to be used in the Panama Canal:

  1. Distillate: Includes fuels such as Diesel, Gasoil, MGO, MDO, LSMGO, DMA, DMB, DMX, and DMZ.
  2. Residual: Includes fuels such as IFO, HFO, VLSFO, ULSFO, HSFO, RMA, RMB, RMD, RME, RMG, and RMK.
  3. LNG: For ships using boil off gas (BOG), or capable of using LNG as fuel.
  4. Biofuel: Manmade fuels such as methanol, ethanol or biodiesel from biomass.
  5. Other: Fuels which are not in any of the preceding groups (i.e., ammonia, hydrogen, etc). Before selecting this option, an inquiry should be sent to [email protected].

The type of fuel, sulphur concentration, and viscosity reported in VUMPA will be verified on the BDN or corresponding fuel analysis report by Panama Canal Boarding Officers upon the vessel's arrival to Canal waters. These documents, as well as the IAPP Certificates and their supplements, if applicable, must be readily available on board for verification.

Warships, submarines, dredges, non-self-propelled vessels, and vessels with length up to 125 ft, are exempted from uploading information to the Fuel Declaration menu.

Inquiries on this subject shall be directed to [email protected].

(For information about operations in the Panama Canal, contact GAC Panama at [email protected])

Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory To Shipping No.A-22-2020 dated 24 June 2020

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

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