The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is launching a dedicated low-carbon transit slot designed to support and reward its clients’ green agenda.
Starting October 5, a weekly transit slot will be reserved only for neopanamax vessels that meet specific low-carbon emission requirements.
Unlike previous announcements, this slot will not be offered through an auction but through a competition held 30 days before the transit date.
The first phase of the so-called NetZero Slot will accommodate ships equipped with dual-fuel engines that use fuel with a carbon intensity of less than 75 gCO2(e)/MJ from extraction to combustion.
Specifications for a second phase, planned for 2026, will be announced on a later date, which will, in addition to phase one requirements, demand that vessels submit a technology screening report, which evaluates energy efficiency technologies applicable to the vessel.
The ACP said laden vessels and those with a larger Panama Canal Universal Measurement System (PCUMS) capacity will be given priority in the competition.
The winning vessel stands to benefit from being able to choose the transit date within the week offered, a guaranteed transit time of 24 hours, as well as just-in-time service.
“By motivating investment in vessels capable of using low-carbon fuels and energy-efficient technologies, we are recognizing and rewarding our clients who are leading the transition toward a more sustainable future, while we await the development of regional infrastructure and logistics that will allow us to make steady progress toward global decarbonization goals,” stated Ilya Espino de Marotta, the Panama Canal’s deputy administrator and sustainability officer.
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