PANAMA FLASH! | Panama City – March 25th, 2026
Introduction of Modifications to the Transit Reservation (Booking) System
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) informs its customers of upcoming enhancements to the Transit Reservation (Booking) System, developed in response to the operational realities faced by our customers.
These improvements will minimize deviations during transit execution, enhance certainty in assigned transit dates, and support more effective planning of post-transit logistics. Through greater predictability and coordination, the ACP aims to help customers optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and reduce associated operational costs, while continuing to strengthen the overall quality of service.
These modifications are aligned with the Panama Canal Regulations, which require the necessary information for the provision of ACP services within the applicable and established timeframes. The timely and complete submission of this information plays a key role in supporting accurate processing of transit reservations and contributes to smoother, more predictable Canal operations. By meeting these timeframes, customers help enable improved coordination, reduce operational adjustments, and support a more efficient and reliable transit experience for all parties involved.
Effective April 1, 2026, through July 1, 2026, a trial period will be implemented for booking dates beginning April 5, 2026, up to July 5, 2026. During this period, all vessels must submit the required information by 2359 hours, four (4) days prior to the booking date, Transit in Advance (TIA) date, or inbound harbor movement date.
For vessels awarded a booking slot through an auction, a Transit in Advance (TIA) slot, or a Last Minute Reservation, when the submission deadline for the required information has already passed at the time the slot, TIA, or Last Minute Reservation is allocated, the vessel will be allowed to submit the required information up to two (2) hours after the allocation time.
Vessels changing from Local Call to Transit or requesting a second transit in the opposite direction under the same visit must comply with the deadlines described above. Vessels with an outbound harbor movement must submit the ready time and tentative draft for the movement no later than 0700 hours, two (2) days prior to the outbound harbor movement date.
Port terminals will be required to submit dock assignments no later than 1200 hours, two (2) days prior to the inbound harbor movement date.
The ACP will monitor the timely submission of the required information by customers and port terminals. During the trial period, this process will be used solely for validation and data collection purposes, with no enforcement measures applied.
The list of requirements is available in the following link: https://pancanal.com/wp-
content/uploads/2026/03/Lista-de-Requerimientos-para-transito-y-harbor.pdf
IMPORTANT – FUNDING REQUIREMENTS (CUSTOMER ACTION REQUIRED)
In line with the new requirements established by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), please be advised that all required funds must be remitted no later than seven (7) days prior to the vessel’s arrival. This is necessary to ensure that, as your appointed agent, we can comply with the ACP’s funding placement deadline of 2359 hours, four (4) days prior to the scheduled transit date.
For bookings obtained through the auction process, the ACP requires that funds be placed within two (2) hours after the slot is allocated. Accordingly, customers must either remit the estimated auction bidding amount in advance or maintain a sufficient standing deposit with us to ensure compliance with this requirement.
While the ACP has indicated that no penalties or delays will be enforced during the trial period, it is important to note that once this period concludes, strict compliance will be required. Failure to remit funds within the established timeframes may result in delays or cancellation of the booking allocation.
We strongly recommend that all customers adjust their internal processes accordingly to avoid any disruption to their transit scheduling.
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)
