The proposal establishes a simplified structure which provides price stability up to the year 2025 according to Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales.

The proposed toll structure will reduce the number of tariffs from 430 to less than 60 which the authority says will minimize unnecessary complexity and facilitate easier transactions by eliminating toll bands and introducing tariffs based on the locks used and vessel size.

The changes are part of the Panama Canal Authority’s commitment to improving customer experience and reflects the growing value of the waterway.  A public consultation period is open until May 17, 2022 at 4.15pm local time and a public hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2022 at 9.00am local time.  Once the process is completed, the modifications will come into effect on January 1, 2023.

The proposed toll structure recommends the following key adjustments, among others:

• Replacement of toll bands with fixed and capacity tariffs:
  The Panama Canal is eliminating toll bands and introducing simplified tariffs according to the locks used, as well as the vessel type and size category. 
• Tolls will be determined by two components:
  • A fixed tariff per transit, according to the locks used and the vessel size category (Regulars, Supers, and Neopanamax), that will remain in place until year 2025. For some types and sizes of vessels, these categories are further divided to avoid exceeding the value the Canal provides to customers.
  • A capacity tariff per vessel types and size category, addressing the value of the service provided by the Canal.

Small Vessel Tolls

Of interest to cruisers who want to transit the Canal on their cruising adventure will be the proposed adjustments to tolls for small vessels which involve adjustments to the maximum
limits of displacement tonnage established by tolls based on length overall. These tolls apply to all small vessels (length overall up to 125 feet).

• Vessels of length overall greater than 125 feet, of any market segment, with PC/UMS
  tonnage up to 999 as the maximum limit, will be applied the small vessels tolls in the
  length overall range greater than 100 feet, in addition to all related charges for other
  maritime services.
• The proposed modifications to small vessel tolls involve adjustments to the maximum
  limits of displacement tonnage established by tolls based on length overall (1,000
  displacement tons). Vessels with a displacement tonnage greater than 1,000 will be
  assessed tolls based on the proposed displacement tolls.

The full Proposal Document is available from The Panama Canal Authority.

For more information or to make a submission email:  [email protected]

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Related News:

The Panama Canal Releases Proposal for Simplified Toll Structure (Hellenic Shipping News)

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Related Links:

Panama Canal Authority website

Proposal To Modify The Panama Canal Tolls System and the Regulations for the AdMeasurement of Vessels (April 2022)

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