We are now getting close to the end of the rainy season here in Panama, which is also the end of the Hurricane season in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean area.

Soon the dry season will begin lasting to May and being the months with the most cruising activities both relating to Panama and passing the Panama Canal going west into the Pacific.

No great changes are expected for this forthcoming canal transit season. Due to the large ongoing construction

project at the Panama Canal, expanding the transit capacity, combined with the shortage of Transit Advisors (small craft pilots) some transit delays should be anticipated, especially as it is known that small craft has the least priority! However, similar conditions prevailed last season without causing extensive delays.

No changes covering Transit expenses and regulations for small crafts on the Panama Canal

Authority’s homepage www.pancanal.com. Go to Marine Services, then to Customer Forms “Procedure for securing a Handline Transit of the Panama Canal”, which gives information covering regulations and transit costs.

Karsten Staffeldt – Panama