Sunny Worldwide LogisticsIt is a logistics company with more than 20 years of transportation experience, focusing on markets such as Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It is more of a cargo owner than a cargo owner~
Recently, the Panama Canal Authority launched a new transit reservation system – the Long-Term Slot Allocation.
Effective January 1, 2025, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will modify its transit reservation system, including adjustments, changes and implementation of new charges.
ACP said the modifications were aimed at "improving service levels, reflecting the value of booking services, improving supply and demand management and optimizing transit operations".
Shipping company fee adjustment
On December 18, MSC Mediterranean Shipping issued an announcement to inform customers that in order to address the increased costs associated with these changes and maintain its commitment to provide reliable and efficient services, MSC will introduce the Panama Canal Surcharge (PCS).
Effective from January 1, 2025, the affected trade routes: Southeast Asia, China, South Korea and Japan to the East Coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico, the charge will be US/TEU for all cargo types.
Last week, CMA CGM also issued an announcement to impose a "Panama Canal transit surcharge" from January 1, 2025 "to recover this additional cost" and "continue to provide the most reliable service through the Panama Canal."
All goods from the Far East (including mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia) to the East Coast of the United States and the Gulf of the United States via the Panama Canal are levied 40 USD/TEU. Related routes: CBX, GMXP, MANB, PEX 3, SAX, TWS, VESPUCC.
It is worth noting that as an Ocean Alliance partner of CMA CGM:Shipping companies such as COSCO, OOCL and Evergreen may also introduce similar surcharges (USD 40/TEU).
Because of the affected services, Chesapeake Bay Express (CBX), Gulf of Mexico Express (GMXP), Manhattan Bridge (MANB), Pacific Express 3 (PEX3), South Atlantic Express (SAX), Taiwan Strait ( TWS) and Vespucci services (Vespucci), all Ocean Alliance services - AWE9, AWE7, AWE8, AWE6, AWE2, AWE5 and AWE4.
A quick calculation found that an average container ship of about 12,500TEU would receive a transit surcharge of about 0,000, while a 9,000TEU ship would receive a transit surcharge of about 0,000.
In addition to adjusting fees, in order to prevent late cancellations and no-shows, ACP has also introduced a new measure. If the ship does not arrive within 7 days of the scheduled date, a huge surcharge equivalent to 250% of the booking fee will be charged.
However, ACP also introduces "increased flexibility in exchange requests" so operators can submit exchange requests free of charge up to 14 days before the stated arrival time. Reservations made within 14 days of arrival,A surcharge of 1% of the booking fee will be charged.
Additionally, the company has introduced a "last-minute transit booking fee" to give vessels unable to secure a booking slot through regular means an option to arrive at the canal without a booking.
Finally, a “vessel scheduling fee” will be levied “to better accommodate vessels that cannot be booked through the regular booking system but require coordination with the canal to schedule a transit.”
I would like to remind all cargo owners and forwarders involved in the US line to pay attention to the latest situation and inform each other. It is recommended that everyone take precautions and communicate with customers in a timely manner!
