Two major carriers have announced new Panama Canal surcharges on Asia-U.S. east coast transits in response to the canal authority implementing a new booking system to “optimize transit operations.”
As of January 1, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will modify its transit reservation system, including changes in the tariff structure and fee amounts and the introduction of new tariffs. ACP said the modifications aim “to improve the level of service, to reflect the value of the reservations service, to improve the supply and demand management and to optimize transit operations.”
MSC notified customers yesterday that, “to address the increased costs associated with these changes and maintain [its] commitment to providing reliable and efficient services,” it will introduce a Panama Canal surcharge on January 1.
And last week, CMA CGM similarly advised of a “Panama Canal transit surcharge” from January 1, “to recover this extra cost” and “keep providing most reliable services transiting through Panama Canal.”
Read more in an article from The Loadstar.