Transit Costs & Port Expenses

The standard maximum transit draft, load line and lake level permitting, is 39 feet 06 inches or 12.04 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). Please contact us for any questions regarding the prevailing draft.

Because of the "El Niño" phenomenon, a series of draft restrictions were implemented throughout March to June 1998. The maximum transit draft of 39 feet 06 inches TFW was restored on June 30, 1998.

Please request a copy of the Panama Canal Commission Marine Director´s Notice to Shipping which contains a detailed description of the many rules and regulations in force governing the transit of the Canal.

This notice is updated periodically and covers all the major points:

1. size and draft,
2. limitations of vessels,
3. maximum length and beam,
4. pilot platforms,
5. navigation bridge features,
6. requirements for tows,
7. chocks and bitts,
8. deck load cargo and more

The Following Documents Should Be Sent In Advance:

1. General Arrangements Plan
2. Capacity Plan with Dead weight Scale
3. Midship Section Plan
4. Deck Containers Plans
5. Lines Plans or Offset Tables
6. PC/UMS Tonnage Certificate
7. International Tonnage Certificate (ITC-69)
8. Copy Ship´s Register
9. Copy Load-line Certificate

If not feasible to send all the documents mentioned then the complete ITC-69 (including calculation sheets with reflect volumes) should be faxed in. This should preclude the assessment of admeasurement fees.