ACP Shipping Adviosry 25-2012
The Panama Canal Authority has issues Shipping Adviosry 25-2012 regarding additional information on the BAPLIE Requirements.
The Panama Canal Authority is committed to continuously offer the best possible service to shipping. In that regard, and in response to recommendations from customers, the ACP agreed to modify the BAPLIE requirements, as were published in Advisory A-06-2011. This Advisory serves, therefore, to notify that the previously published Advisory A-06-2011 was modified, effective May 11, 2012, to read as follows:
- All Full Container Vessels arriving in ballast condition for transit only (no port calls located at the terminal ends of the Panama Canal) are not required to submit a BAPLIE file.
- Full Container vessels that arrive in loaded condition and discharge all cargo at any of the ports located at the terminal ends of the Panama Canal (Balboa, Cristobal, or Manzanillo Bay), shall submit their BAPLIE file after departing such port but prior to arriving at the last set of locks, even if the vessel is transiting in ballast condition.
- Full Container vessels that arrive in loaded condition for docking only (Local Call) at any of the ports located at the terminal ends of the Panama Canal (Balboa, Cristobal, or Manzanillo Bay), and subsequently, receive a change in orders to transit, will be considered as non-compliant with the BAPLIE file arrival rule if the BAPLIE was not submitted prior to arrival. In these cases, the shipping agent shall contact the ACP ETA clerk and request the creation of the itinerary for transit, and send a copy of the request to the ACP Admeasurement Unit ([email protected]) and Systems Support ([email protected]) indicating the reason for the change in transit status. The ACP will evaluate the arguments presented, and will determine if the BAPLIE file is accepted. If the BAPLIE file is not accepted, the variable portion of the Tolls invoice will be based on full capacity.
- If a vessel announces via EDCS that it is arriving for transit in ballast condition, but during the inspection the boarding officer finds a container not securely welded to the deck with cargo that is not commercial cargo, the vessel will be considered laden for toll purposes. However, it will not be required to submit a BAPLIE file and the variable portion of the tolls will be zero(0). The same applies for any other type of cargo other than containerized cargo found on board the vessel, which may invalidate the ballast status. If the container found on board has commercial cargo, the vessel will be considered as non-compliant with the BAPLIE file arrival rule and the variable portion of the tolls invoice will be based on full capacity.
Source: ACP
