All systems go for Panama Canal's prirority passage program for dual-fuel vessels
The Panama Canal is set to implement a new category within its transit reservation system, the NetZero Slot, designed to propel maritime decarbonization and support the canal’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
As announced, the first competition to allocate this slot will take place on October 3, 2025, applicable to the transit week of November 2-8, 2025.
Beginning on that date, one weekly slot will be reserved exclusively for vessels that meet low-emission criteria.
In order to participate, in this initial phase, vessels must be registered as dual-fuel and capable of operating on at least one fuel with a carbon intensity factor equal to, or less than 75 gCO₂e/MJ.
Eligible fuels include green methanol, green ammonia, bio-LNG, or bio-LPG. While immediate use of these fuels will not be required, the canal will recognize the investment and capacity to operate them once supply becomes available, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) explained.
Instead of auctioning, the vessels will compete weekly under a prioritization scheme based on:
- Cargo condition: Preference given to loaded vessels.
- Panamas Canal Universal Measurement System (PCUMS) capacity: Priority awarded to higher tonnage.
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
