Panama Canal Revises Transit Booking System and Updates NetZero Program Requirements

The Panama Canal has updated the criteria for reallocating transit slots that are canceled or become available during booking periods 1A and 2 at the Neopanamax locks. The changes, announced through an Advisory to Shipping, take effect immediately and restore the allocation criteria that were in place prior to July 2026.

Available slots during these periods will be offered through a special allocation process with priority given in the following order: Container ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, and vehicle carriers or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels. Within each vessel segment, Transit TEU Allowance (TTA) capacity will serve as the primary tiebreaker, where applicable.

NetZero Through the same advisory, the Panama Canal also updated the eligibility requirements for vessels transiting the waterway for the first time to participate in the NetZero program. The initiative aims to continue supporting and encouraging investment in low-carbon, energy-efficient vessels.

Under the updated requirements, vessels must undergo a preliminary tonnage inspection conducted by the Panama Canal’s Admeasurement Unit. To streamline participation in the program, these inspections may now be executed outside Panama.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →