A-37-2026

Panama Canal: Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) 2027 and reservation tariff changes

ActiveReceived 05 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC

Warning text

Panama Canal Authority Vice Presidency for Operations Advisory To Shipping No. A-37-2026 October 5, 2026 TO: All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators SUBJECT: Long-Term Slot Allocation Program 2027 and Modification to Transit Reservation System tariffs To facilitate customer planning for the 2027 dry season, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will offer Long- Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) programs for transit dates from January 3 through April 3, 2027. LoTSA Neopanamax will continue under its current terms, while the new LoTSA Panamax Pilot Program will extend advance slot allocation to customers transiting the Panamax Locks. What the program is designed to do LoTSA allows customers to secure a package of transit slots for the full period in a single transaction, reducing their reliance on daily booking competitions. By committing part of the Canal’s projected transit capacity earlier, the program enhances planning certainty, particularly when water availability is limited. Neopanamax: continuity for customers with recurring itineraries LoTSA Neopanamax will continue under the current award mechanism, selection criteria, and tie-breaking rules, with an average of three (3) slots per day. Customers may therefore secure transits for the full period under familiar terms. Panamax: a new planning option for segments that did not have one For the first time, customers transiting the Panamax locks may secure slots in advance through a sealed-bid auction. The pilot will use the same award mechanism, selection criteria, and tie-breaking rules as LoTSA Neopanamax and will offer an average of three (3) slots per day. It is intended for fixed-itinerary customers and those whose customer-ranking position makes it more difficult to obtain slots through the regular booking system. How are the slots offered? • Only Fixed packages will be offered, with a single level of flexibility and characteristics tailored to the operational needs of eligible segments. • Slots will be distributed according to package type and transit direction, for each set of locks. • A new FixSlot package is introduced for all other market segments, excluding Full Container, LNG, and LPG vessels. Key dates Event Neopanamax Panamax Competition November 17, 2026 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. November 24, 2026 (Sealed bids accepted from 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 PM) Implementation November 29, 2026 (First priority booking window) December 16, 2026 (First priority booking window) Booking dates Next cycle announcement January 3, 2027 to April 3, 2027 January 2027 3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023 3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023 OP, October 5, 2006 Subject: Long-Term Slot Allocation Program 2027 and Modification to Transit Reservation System tariffs Detailed terms and conditions will be available in the following link: https://pancanal.com/en/lotsa/ The three slots allocated to LoTSA in the Panamax Locks will be reduced during Period 1 and Period 2, as indicated below. Consequently, for booking dates beginning January 3, 2027, four (4) slots may become available upon the opening of the 1st Period Competition on October 5, 2026, and seven (7) slots may become available upon the opening of the 2nd Period Competition on December 20, 2026. The following tables summarize the slot distribution per Booking Period for the Neopanamax and Panamax Locks: For booking dates beginning January 3, 2027, to April 3, 2027 Modifications to Booking Late Cancellation Surcharge fee Effective October 15, 2026, the ACP will temporarily modify the Booking Late Cancellation Surcharge under tariff 1050.IBC9, previously announced in Advisory No. A-28-2026, by reducing the applicable cancellation threshold from seven (7) days to four (4) days. The surcharge will apply to cancellations received four (4) days or less before the required arrival time and to vessels that fail to arrive within seven days after that time. It remains at 250% of the reservation fee, in addition to charges under tariffs 1050.IBC4, 1050.IBC5, and 1050.IBC10, and will remain in effect until further notice. The modification is shown in the following table: The Panama Canal continues to explore new alternatives to optimize customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen its commitment to service excellence. For additional information, please contact [email protected], and [email protected] ORIGINAL SIGNED Boris Moreno Vásquez Vice President for Operations

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The Panama Canal Authority announces the LoTSA programme for transits 3 January to 3 April 2027, continuing Neopanamax terms and introducing a Panamax pilot sealed-bid FixSlot package. Key dates include competitions (Neopanamax 17 Nov 2026; Panamax sealed bids 24 Nov 2026), implementation priority windows (29 Nov and 16 Dec 2026) and booking period 3 Jan-3 Apr 2027. The Booking Late Cancellation Surcharge threshold is temporarily reduced from seven to four days effective 15 Oct 2026; the surcharge remains 250% of the reservation fee. Detailed terms are available on the ACP website and enquiries may be sent to [email protected] or [email protected].

Type: Port / channel notice · severity info
Location: Panama Canal
Validity: From 05 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC
To facilitate customer planning for the 2027 dry season, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will offer Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) programs for transit dates from January 3 through April 3, 2027. Effective October 15, 2026, the ACP will temporarily modify the Booking Late Cancellation Surcharge.
Activity periods: 03 Jan 2027, 00:00 UTC - 03 Apr 2027, 23:59 UTC (LoTSA transit booking period (booking dates for transits))
17 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTC - 17 Nov 2026, 12:30 UTC (Neopanamax competition)
24 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTC - 24 Nov 2026, 14:30 UTC (Panamax sealed-bid competition (sealed bids accepted))
29 Nov 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Neopanamax first priority booking window opens (implementation))
16 Dec 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Panamax first priority booking window opens (implementation))
05 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Announcement and initial availability information published)
15 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Modified Booking Late Cancellation Surcharge effective date (threshold reduced to 4 days))
20 Dec 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Opening of 2nd Period Competition (mentioned for slot availability change))
Hazards: reservation system tariff change, booking and slot allocation modifications

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