Panama Canal modifies Fresh Water Surcharge
Given the critical condition of freshwater availability in the Panama Canal watershed, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced a modification to the variable component of the Fresh Water Surcharge effective October 1, 2023.
This consists of changing the Gatun Lake level curve centre from 82 feet to 79 feet, which is equivalent to a maximum draught of 44 feet (Tropical Fresh Water - TFW) for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks, without affecting the maximum draught for vessels in the Panamax locks. This curve centre of 79 feet and the maximum draught of 44 feet represent water saving efforts to ensure traffic sustainability in the coming months.
The resulting percentage derived from the formula will vary from 0% to 10%, and will be applied to the total tolls of the vessel, including the fixed and variable portions of tolls in cases where the toll structure includes those components. The percentage applicable to each vessel will be directly related to the level of Gatun Lake…
…This percentage will be applied to all vessels transiting the following day… …The charges applicable to the fixed component of the FWS will remain the same until further notice, as per an extract from Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-42-2023 dated September 25, 2023.
Source: Exim News Service: Panama City, Sept. 26