Panama Canal Restores Pre-July Booking Allocation Standards

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 30, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced through Shipping Notice A-40-2026 the restoration, effective immediately, of the original reallocation standards for cancelled or vacated transit slots during booking periods 1A and 2 at the Neopanamax locks, i.e., the rules in effect before July 2026.

In July 2026, the ACP introduced temporary allocation measures in response to rising transit demand driven by changes in the global shipping landscape. The ACP stated that vessel traffic has now returned to normal and therefore the temporary rules are being withdrawn. Under the adjusted system, available slots are released through a special allocation process, with vessel categories prioritized as follows: container ships, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, vehicle carriers or Ro-Ro vessels; within the same category, Total TEU Allowance (TTA) serves as the primary tiebreaker, followed by customer ranking.

Updated on the same day as the booking standards are the eligibility rules for the NetZero Locks program. Effective November 1, 2026, vessels transiting the Panama Canal for the first time may compete for NetZero slots, provided they complete a preliminary measurement assessment before the competition date and meet other program requirements. The preliminary assessment is conducted by the ACP's Measurements Office to establish the basis for toll calculation, determine tonnage under the Panama Canal Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS), identify engine type, and verify NetZero eligibility.

Assessments may be requested before the vessel arrives in Canal waters and can be conducted outside Panama. Fees for preliminary inspections abroad are: USD 14,000 for the Americas, USD 21,000 for Europe, and USD 28,000 for Asia, Africa, and Oceania; additional inspection days are charged at USD 3,500 per day. Applicants bear applicable fees, additional expenses, required permits, and vessel port entry arrangements. The ACP clarified that submitting an application does not automatically confer eligibility; the preliminary assessment must be completed before the relevant competition date, and final verification or additional inspections may still be required prior to transit.