Panama agents gain more time to comply with Canal data collection system

Panama agents gain more time to comply with Canal data collection system    The Panama Canal Authority has notified shipping agents in Panama that it will introduce temporary relief measures to ease the introduction of the canal’s new electronic data-gathering system.
   After shipping agents complained they were not given sufficient time to comply with the new Automated Data Collection System, Jorge L. Quijano maritime operations director of the Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory notice Friday that contains a postponement of its enforcement date.
   The canal authority’s Electronic Data Collection System goes live today. Yet, citing customers’ concerns, the Panama Canal Authority said it has decided to apply “transition relief measures until July 1.”
   All vessels arriving prior to June 1, may continue with the current paper-based process, and vessels arriving during June are required to submit only the estimated time of arrival, the “ship due,” the “ship due for small craft” and the preliminary cargo declaration forms electronically.
   The crew, passenger list and detailed cargo declaration may be submitted using the existing printed paper forms to the Panama Canal boarding officer upon the vessel’s arrival. Transit booking requests and transit booking cancellations will be accepted either through the Electronic Data Collection System or by fax.
   But on July 1, the use of the Electronic Data Collection System will be compulsory, the authority warned.
   The Panama Canal Authority added that, on a case-by-case basis, the manager of its traffic management and measurement branch may authorize receipt of the estimated time of arrival, the “ship due,” the transit booking request and transit booking cancellation forms by fax.