Auctions for crossing the canal would increase road revenues

Due to the drop in traffic per day, Panama Canal Authority (ACP) launched a crossing auction program for ships awaiting transit.

The the first auction was held this Saturday, November 25and the base price was 55 thousand dollars, and only vessels that arrived in Panamanian waters by November 17th and did not have a reservation were accepted, and the favored ones will have their transit this Monday, November 27th.

In a statement to shipping companies, ACP reported that the auction it will be published three days before the transit date and it will take place two days before, as happened this Saturday.

The Transits will be performed through Panamax locks and the auction will be available for ordinary vessels and Panamax vessels that have at least 10 days in the queue, from the date of the auction.

“The purpose of this measure is provide greater opportunities to obtain berths for vessels in Panamax locks that have been waiting in a traffic jam for a long time,” informed the ACP.

The institution added that places that are free during the reservation period They may be offered through extraordinary auctions, depending on several factors, including the water level of Lake Gatun.

The full container ships Those who have already received a reserved space before the auctions are also considered.

A maritime agency discovered this in recent days There are companies that have offered up to 235 million dollars cross the canal without waiting for regular traffic.

However, international media collected the impressions of AKP officials who claim this It is too early to know the effect of these auctions in the income of the Channel.

And that’s it Fees arising from these auctions will be in addition to normal tolls who are paid to cross.