The Panama Chamber of Commerce requested the Panama Canal Authority to postpone the start of collection of the fee for the use of fresh water in the Canal, which would begin to be paid on February 15, 2020.
On January 13, the Panama Canal Authority announced that this year "... the value of water will be incorporated into the line of other maritime services through a charge for fresh water, which will depend on the availability of the resource at the time of the vessel's transit. The freshwater charge is applicable to all vessels over 125 feet in length that transit the Canal:
Because Colombian ports have a lower operating cost base than Panamanians, the South American country competes to appropriate the logistics business in the region.
Until a while ago, Panama led the logistics operations in the region, however, there are some signs that indicate that this situation could be changing, since the growth in the movement of maritime cargo in the country has reported a slowdown in recent years.
From September 27th to 29th, companies from the maritime sector will be meeting in Panama to discuss issues related to technology, rules and regulations in the industry.
From a statement issued by the Maritime Chamber of Panama:
First Annual Maritime Conference of Panama entitled "The Next 100 Years" set within the framework of Panama's 100-year ship registry.At the Sheraton Hotel in Panama City.
The Canal Authority has started a process of measuring and analyzing the current and projected demand for the inter-oceanic route in order to determine when to start the expansion.
The Panama Canal Authority has already formed a group of experts to carry out analysis and technical studies for the future expansion of the Canal, which will depend directly on the behaviour of demand over the next few years.In the first year of operation, vessels larger than those initially planned have passed through the third set of locks. At the moment, according to Jorge Luis Quijano, the third set of locks generates 32% of revenues.
With the entry into operation of the new locks, the Panama Canal is beginning to regain market lost in recent years to the Suez Canal.
60% of vessels transporting cargo between Asia and the United States now passes through the new locks, up from 40% earlier this year. Until the opening of the expanded canal, this market share of maritime cargo went through the Suez Canal.
The new canal enlarges the volume of ships that transit through it, as well as the opportunities for growth in a country whose economy was already booming.
EDITORIAL
As Jorge Quijano, chief executive of the Panama Canal Authority notes, the new Canal will open up new global trade routes.This is particularly true for cargo which goes through ports in the eastern United States, including those on the Gulf Coast.The opportunity is clear for the transport of liquefied natural gas(LNG), which the United States produces in abundance. According to Martin Houston, co - founder of Tellurian, developer of LNG projects, so far only 7% of tankers carrying LNG to Asia pass through the Panama Canal, a figure that will rise to 80% with the expanded Canal.The reason is clear:"A tanker loaded with liquefied natural gas in the US Gulf Coast and destined for Asian markets could shorten its travel distance by about 5,000 nautical miles."
On July 19 shipping companies, logistics and other sectors related to the port industry will be meeting in Panama to discuss issues and opportunities arising from the expanded canal.
The event, organized by the Maritime Authority of Panama, will be held at the Hotel Intercontinental Miramar, from 1 pm.
Anpanama.com reports that "....Among the topics to be discussed are: prospects for Panama's logistics sector after enlargement, adaptation and efficient management of Panamanian ports and the role of private enterprise in the new scenario, among other things."
The shipping company has drawn attention to the impact that the Canal expansion will have on its operations noting that there are still only a few ports that can receive Post Panamax vessels.
The two routes that the Danish shipping company Maersk Line ceased to operate in 2013 were of great importance for Latin America, whose operations account for 10% of the company's total sales worldwide.
On March 11 the second edition of the event will be held which will present opportunities for business development that will arise from the opening of the third set of locks of the Panama Canal.
The Panama Maritime Chamber is organizing the event called Logistic Summit 2016: Logistics in the Americas after the Canal Expansion on March 11.
It is not only the port of Corozal which needs immediate promotion, there is also an urgent need to keep building port infrastructure in order to take advantage of the Canal expansion.
EDITORIAL
The opinion of entrepreneurs in the logistics sector is unanimous: the forthcoming opening of the new and expanded Panama Canal locks should be the starting point for consolidating Panama as a major logistics hub for the hemisphere.
The arrival of the first ships with capacity of 13 TEUs at the Panamanian port of Balboa is evidence of how shipping services are changing, a prelude to the opening of the expanded Canal.
Trips taken by cargo bound for East Asia with two major shipping companies in the world, Maersk Line and MSC, will be shorter, thanks to the port at Balboa now being able to manage ships carrying over 13,000 TEUs's, a capacity which is close to the amount carried by ships which will pass through the expanded Canal.
One of the routes is operated by Maersk Line from Asia to the US West Coast and the other by the company Hamburg Sud, going from South America to the Caribbean.
The Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano, said these two new services will generate "between $25 million to $30 million each." Vessels operating the routes are of medium size and will start going through the canal in the coming months.
From November 24th to 27th representatives from the industry in Central America and other regions will be gathering together in Panama City to discuss issues related to maritime safety and port development.
From a statement issued by the Network for Protection of Ships and Port Facilities:
The PBIP Network Mexico-International and the Panama Maritime Chamber, together with the Maritime Authority, Panama Canal Authority and the International Maritime University of Panama; have presented the 'VIII International Forum on Maritime Safety and Port Security', which will be held in Panama City from 24 to 27 November 2014.
The international event will be held on 18th and 19th September in Panama City and will address issues related to law, technology and emergency response strategies.
From information published on the website of the Panama Canal Authority:
IV Congress of Occupational Safety and Health 2014
Themse of Congress
CENTRAL THEME: "One Hundred Years of Occupational Health and Safety, looking towards the future"