PANAMA FLASH! | Panama City – November 24th , 2023
US Coast Guard Gas Carrier COC Examination Program; Balboa Anchorage, Panama Canal; January 28th to February 9th, 2024
The Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise, with the approval of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), is excited to announce the winter 2024 session of our voluntary Certificate of Compliance (COC) examination program for liquefied gas carriers awaiting northbound transit through the Panama Canal.
The winter session of this program will be from January 28th to February 9th, 2024. The US Coast Guard must fill 65% of the exam slots and can shorten the session, as needed. COC requests will need to be completed and paid seven days prior the exam; this will help with planning and post exam billing.
US Coast Guard hope to continue to the program with a spring session in the middle of May, 2024. Specific dates will be released as we get closer.
The previous two session program, conducted from March/April and again in September of 2023, were greatly successful. None of these vessels encountered cargo delays upon their arrival to a US port.
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 the US Coast guard have confirmed our attendance and instructed by our office 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)
