News / Panama Canal discounts may not produce expected flood of new business

Photo: Panama Canal Authority

On 8 August the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) approved a reduction in its tolls for southbound neo-panamax vessels, but analyst Drewry is doubtful whether the incentives to carriers will have immediate impact.

The new tariff, $10-$15 per teu below the unchanged northbound tariff, will only apply to ships of 6,000 teu and above, and vessels must have carried at least 70% of its maximum capacity on the headhaul voyage and not take longer than 28 days to complete the round trip.

Drewry calculates that, for the ...