The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued an advisory announcing that it will be accepting transit reservations for Neopanamax vessels effective 27 June, 2016.
The following rules and procedures will apply for Neopanamax vessels reserving booking slots in the new locks:
1. Vessel Classification: vessels are classified as Neopanamax if their dimensions are over 966 feet (294.44 meters) in length or over 107 feet (32.62 meters) in beam.
2. Slot Allocation: a maximum of four (4) booking slots will be offered per day during the first period. Of these, no more than two (2) slots will be available per direction, and a maximum of one (1) with ”daylight-restriction” per direction. These slots will be allocated using the current booking rules, based on customer ranking and other tie-breaker criteria during the competition period and on a first-come, first-served basis after the competition has closed.
3. Passenger vessels: neopanamax passenger vessels will be allowed to request booking slots for transit dates after June 26, 2017. Similar to the current booking system, one slot will be offered exclusively to passenger vessels during the special booking period, which extends from 547 days to 366 days prior to the requested transit date. No distinction will be made between commercial passenger vessels and other vessels when assigning any remaining booking slots in the other booking periods.
4. Required arrival times: neopanamax booked vessels will be required to arrive by 2200 hours the day prior to their booked date. Neopanamax passenger vessels are exempt from this requirement, provided that they arrive with enough time to maintain their schedule
5. Substitutions and Swaps: substitutions and swaps will be allowed under the same rules and conditions that currently apply to supers and regulars
Further details may be found by reading the advisory issued by the Panama Canal Authority
Source: The Panama Canal Authority
