Panama Flash! | Panama City – March 20th, 2024
US Coast Guard Gas Carrier COC Examination Program; Balboa Anchorage, Panama Canal May 6-17, 2024
The Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise, with the approval of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), is excited to announce the spring session of our voluntary Certificate of Compliance (COC) examination program for liquefied gas carriers awaiting northbound transit through the Panama Canal.
We hope that recent increase in transit slots remains in place and spring rainfalls and Lake Gatun water levels are favorable!
The spring session of this program will be from May 6-17, 2024; there are plans for a July 15th-26th, 2024 summer session. To make this program highly efficient, they will strive to fill a majority of the daily examination slots.
The initial program, conducted from in the spring of 2023 was great success. The US Coast Guard office has continued to renew their practices to offer the best options for shipping companies to utilize wait times at the Balboa Anchorage to reduce delays upon their arrival to US loading ports.
At the request from the vessel’s agent or representative, the USCG exam team would conduct the COC examination at the Balboa anchorage. Upon a successful examination, the team will issue or endorse the COC and record the examination in our database. This has been proven to reduce cargo loading delays at the vessel’s US loading port.
Vessels with expired COCs have the highest priority, followed by vessels with COC expiring within the 90 days. Vessels with COC expiring beyond 90 days requesting a COC examination may be accommodated, as time allows.
Agents representing vessels requesting a COC exam should complete the attached request and information sheet.
Please do not remit payment until they have confirmed their attendance and instructed by the US Coast Guard to do so.
For additional information please contact us 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)
