The cruise ship MS Zaandam, where passengers have died on board, navigates through the pacific side of the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Panama, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, March 29, 2020. REUTERS/Erick Marciscan By Elida Moreno and Dave Graham PANAMA CITY, March 28 (Reuters) - A cruise ship stuck off Panama's Pacific coast after four … [Read more...]
Shipping Industry Faces $370 Million Hit from Panama Canal ‘Freshwater’ Charge
Photo courtesy Panama Canal Authority By Jonathan Saul LONDON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - A new "freshwater" charge that came in this month to help the Panama Canal cope with climate change will cost the shipping industry up to $370 million a year, marking another blow for maritime companies already hit by fallout from the coronavirus. The Panama Canal, one of world's … [Read more...]
Panama Canal Containership Transits Dip in 2019
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - The number of containerships transiting the Panama Canal during its fiscal year ending 30 September declined slightly, by 1.1% to 2,575. But there could be further reductions after ocean carriers announced a number of blanked sailings in the coming weeks on their Asia to US east coast all-water schedules ahead of the slack season. Dry bulk … [Read more...]
Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales Takes the Helm of the Panama Canal
Panama has be sworn-in Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Ph.D. as the new administrator of the Panama Canal, superseding Jorge L. Quijano after seven years as the head of the Canal. Dr. Vásquez is a Ph.D. and economist with more than 30 years' experience in the public and private sector. He takes the helm for his seven-year term shortly before the Canal celebrates its 20th year … [Read more...]
Panama Canal Imposes Ship Speed Limit to Protect Whales
The Panama Canal has implemented a 10 knot speed limit aimed at protecting whales, dolphins and other large marine mammals against ship strikes. The speed limit will run from August 1 through November 30 to coincide with seasonal migration periods and in-line with International Maritime Organization's (IMO) annual recommendations on speed and maritime transit aimed at … [Read more...]