The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that it will apply sanctions against certain tugboat captains who recently refused to transit vessels through the canal's new neopanamax locks, impacting the operations of the Expanded Panama Canal. The union representing the captains, however, says the captains refused because of safety issues. "The decision … [Read more...]
Brazilian Grain Producers Explore Increased Use of Panama Canal
By Marcelo Teixeira SAO PAULO, March 15 (Reuters) - Brazilian farmers in top soy state Mato Grosso signed a memorandum of understanding with the Panama Canal Authority to evaluate ways to cut transportation costs and boost Brazilian grain volumes using the waterway, the authority's chief administrator said. The canal's administration is looking to increase its participation … [Read more...]
Panama Canal Increases Maximum Draft Limit for Vessels Using Neopanamax Locks
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced it will increase in the maximum allowable draft for vessels using the new Neopanamaz locks after recent rainfall brought the Gatun and Alajuela Lakes to their operating limits. Effective immediately, the maximum allowable draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be increased to 14.33 m (47.0 feet) Tropical Fresh … [Read more...]
U.S. Gas Has a Panama Canal Problem That’s Got No Easy Fix
By Michael McDonald and Naureen S. Malik (Bloomberg) -- It seemed at the time like a somewhat random, and amazingly fortuitous, coincidence. Just as the Panama Canal was unveiling a new, fatter set of locks, U.S. shale drillers were readying their very first exports of liquefied natural gas. While the wide-body tankers that transport LNG would’ve had no chance of squeaking … [Read more...]
Panama Canal Increases Daily Number of Neopanamax Vessel Slots as Efficiency Improves
The Panama Canal will increase the number of daily booking slots available for Neopanamax vessels from six to seven as Canal operations become more efficient, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced. The increased number of daily slots became effective December 1, 2017. With this measure, the Panama Canal is embracing the additional capacity allowed for by the new, … [Read more...]