Panama Canal proposes large increase in tolls

Panama Canal proposes large increase in tolls The Panama Canal Authority Tuesday announced a formal proposal to substantially raise canal tolls for vessel operators, and restructure its vessel measurement and pricing system for vessels with on-deck container capacity.
   The proposed changes will come into effect in May. One industry source told American Shipper that, if successful, the proposal would see carriers charged an additional 30 to 35 percent in the first year, with further increases due afterwards.
   Under the proposal, fully cellular containerships will be charged based on their twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container carrying capacity, replacing the current “Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System” (PC/UMS) tonnage. When evaluating vessels TEU carrying capacity the visibility limitation imposed by the Panama Canal will be taken into account.
   The proposed toll will be implemented over three years as follows:
   * $42 per TEU, from May 1, 2005.
   * $49 per TEU, from Jan. 1, 2006.
   * $54 per TEU, from Jan. 1, 2007.
   Vessels other than full containerships with on-deck container carrying capacity will continue to use PC/UMS tonnage to measure enclosed spaces and spaces below deck. The transit charge of these vessels will be the current PC/UMS volume charge plus the actual TEU containers transported on-deck on each transit.
Formal consultation on the proposal began Tuesday and will continue until Jan. 6. A public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. EST Jan. 7, in the Ascanio Arosemena auditorium in Balboa, Panama.