Despite the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) efforts to pursue Panama Canal to reconsider the Freshwater Charge implementation several days ago, the water tax for ships passing through the passage, has been set into force from 15 February.
After a month of Panama Canal’s announcement for freshwater surcharge, ships will from now pay the new fee which aims to give a boost to the passage’s water levels.
In fact, charges for the use of fresh water range approximately to $1.500 and $5.000 dollars, while vessels with a length from 38.1 meters to 60.96 meters will have to pay $2.500 and ships with a length more than 91.44 meters will pay up to $10.000.
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An additional variable fee ranging between 1% to 10% of the vessel’s toll will be applied, based on Gatun Lake levels during the time of transit. For instance, if the lake has a higher lever, the percentage will be lower.
According to the Canal Authority admnistrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, in case the levels of Lake Gatun would recover, the freshwater taxes will not be suspended so as to enhance the water supply.
Concluding, the water taxes implementation came since Panama Canal is passing through its 5th driest year during the last 70 years.
