PANAMA FLASH! | Panama City – April 10th, 2026
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces some modifications to the Transit Reservation (Booking) System aimed at increasing operational efficiency, optimizing customer logistics, and delivering added value to our customers. These innovations are part of our continued commitment to modernize our service portfolio and deliver an enhance transit experience through the Panama Canal.
Additional Slots for Supers and Regulars
Effective April 13, 2026, for booking dates beginning April 15, 2026, and to further optimize capacity and flexibility, the ACP may offer additional booking slots during Booking Period 2 for the following vessel categories:
- Supers: During Booking Period 2 once nineteen (19) slots have been allocated or during Booking Period 3 once twenty (20) slots have been allocated
- Regulars: During Booking Period 2 once five (5) slots have been allocated or during Booking Period 3 Once six (6) slots have been allocated
The dates and conditions under which this slot may be offered will depend on several variables, including vessel mix, Canal capacity and other factors. These additional slots will be announced via e-mail one day prior to the offer, will have an In-Transit Time (ITT) of 36 hours and will be allocated through a special competition or an additional slot auction, depending on the booking period in which they are offered. The required criteria or conditions, such as transit direction and/or restrictions, will be specified in the announcement e-mail.
Slots not awarded during the special competitions may become available on a first-come-first served basis for the remainder of Booking Period 2. If the additional slot is not awarded during Booking Period 2, it may be carried over to Booking Period 3.
If the number of 19 slots for Supers or 5 slots for Regular vessels is reached 8 days prior to the booking date, the additional slots per vessel category may be offered during Booking Period 3 through an additional slot auction process after the number of 20 slots for Supers or 6 slots for Regular vessels is reached.
Additionally, effective immediately other modifications to the Transit Reservation (Booking) System are:
Transit in Advance (TIA)
If any transit slot becomes available less than 48 hours prior to the intended transit date, the ACP may offer the Transit in advance service with less than two (2) days’ notice.
Waiting List Acceptance
The acceptance of being placed on the waiting list will be considered as a tentative offer for the Transit in Advance service and will require the ACP confirmation via email before including the vessel in the transit schedule to receive the Transit in Advance service. The Transit in Advance slots will be assigned as established in Notice to Shipping N-07.
Auctioned Slots and Waiting List inclusion for Transit in Advance Service
Vessels awarded a booking slot through auction, and for which the 48-hour deadline to submit the waiting list acceptance has expired by the time the auction slot is allocated, will be allowed to submit their interest in being placed on the waiting list for the Transit in Advance service no later than two (2) hours from the slot allocation time.
Vessel Scheduling Fee
This service, including the associated fee, does not apply to passenger vessels of 300 feet or more in length, vessels from the intra-maritime cluster, or vessels of war and auxiliary vessels from the United States and the Republic of Panama.
Last-Minute Reservation Service
If any transit slot becomes available less than two (2) days prior to the intended transit date, the ACP may offer the Last-Minute Reservation service with less than two (2) days’ notice.
Number of slots awarded per customer code
Regarding the number of two (2) daily slots that may be awarded to each customer (per customer code) per booking date, in the Panamax Locks, the following rules will apply:
- Customers that are awarded a slot during Period 2 Tiebreaker competition or through a first come first serve option may not be assigned a slot for another vessel during the tiebreaker competition for the following day.
- Customers that are awarded two slots during Period 2 competitions, through a first come first serve option or special competition may not be assigned a slot for another vessel during special competitions held during Period 2.
For booking dates up to January 2, 2027:
In case there are more than three (3) LoTSA slots registered for any booking date, the additional slots to reach the maximum of six slots per booking date will be reduced as follows from Booking Period 1A, 2 or 3, depending on the time the LoTSA slots are registered.
If by the end of Booking Period 1A there are less than three (3) LoTSA slots registered for any booking date, the unused slots will be added to Booking Period 2.
At the opening of Period 1.A, up to three (3) slots will be offered. The effective number of slots will depend on the number of LoTSA slots used prior to the opening of the period and the NetZero Slot deduction applicable to the week.
- Assignment of the First Two Slots
The first two slots will be assigned as established in Notice to Shipping N-07: one Northbound (N/B) and one Southbound (S/B), according to customer ranking within the applicable vessel segment. If one direction has been fully allocated due to prior LoTSA usage, both slots will be assigned to the remaining available direction.
- Assignment of the Third Slot
The third slot will be assigned in the available direction at the time of allocation based on customer ranking within the corresponding vessel segment as established in Notice to Shipping N-07 and after incorporating the impact of LoTSA usage.
- NetZero Slot Application
In accordance with the NetZero Slot Program, one (1) weekly slot is allocated and will be deducted at the opening of Period 1.A for the specific day of the week of the slot allocated.
Notes:
If, prior to the opening of Period 1.A, either one (1) NetZero slot has been consumed or a total of five (5) LoTSA slots have been used, one (1) slot will be deducted from Period 1.A slot availability. Consequently, the period will open with two (2) available slots. The first slot will be assigned in the following order: full containers; followed by LNG, LPG and car carriers / RoRo based on customer ranking. The second slot will be assigned in the following order: LNG, LPG, full containers and car carriers / RoRo based on customer ranking.
If a NetZero slot has been consumed and a total of five (5) LoTSA slots have been used for the same day of the week prior to the opening of Period 1.A for any booking date, then Period 1.A will open with only one (1) slot. The slot will be assigned in the following order: full containers; followed by LNG, LPG and car carriers / RoRo based on customer ranking.
For additional information, please reach out to our operators at operations@nortonlilly.com.pa.
Norton Lilly International (Panama) S.A.
Bldg. 3825 – Office 204
Howard – Panama-Pacifico
Panama, Rep. of Panama
Tel: (507) 304-4600
Main email: operations@nortonlilly.com.pa (24 hours)
