New tolls approved for Panama Canal

On February 2, the ACP announced its desire to move toward a charge closer to the commercial value of the service and the route. After a more than 30-day public consultation period, in which a total of 21 written submissions was received, the ACP conducted a hearing on March 14 where a total of 14 representatives from shipping and government expressed their views.

On April 5, in response to industry requests, the proposal was slightly modified: implementation of the new charges, for certain segments (including general cargo, dry bulk, tankers and vehicle carriers), was postponed from May 2007 to July 1, 2007. Due to this modification, the issue was reopened for public comment for a 15-day period. A total of 10 written submissions, in both English and Spanish, were received by the ACP from various individuals and groups.

Refrigerated cargo and passenger vessels will maintain the implementation date of October 1, 2007. Additionally, container ships will maintain the implementation date of May 1, 2008. The toll of US$54.00 per teu for container ships and other vessels with on-deck container carrying capacity, approved in 2005, was due to become effective May 1, 2007.