The "Camara Maritima" (Chamber of Shipping) stresses, for the guidance of
ship operators, that the Panama Canal Authority Regulations stipulate that sufficient
funds must be deposited in cash in advance of vessel's arrival to cover expenses,
likewise for port calls.
It is essential, therefore, to arrange for these funds to be on deposit by electronic
transfer with the local banks in Panama for immediate cash availability prior to
arrival of vessels at either Canal terminal.
This deposit must include not only Canal transit charges and berthing fees,
but sufficient funds to cover agency fees, cash advances to masters, when required,
stores, anticipated repairs, etc.
It is strongly recommended that owners / operators arrange these remittances at
least five days in advance to allow for delays in transmission, local holidays and
more, as vessels that arrive without funds will have to lay at anchor until this
financial requirement is met.
| New Year | January 1 |
| Martyr Day (Memorial Day) | January 9 |
| Carnival | February 7-8, 2005 |
| Good Friday | March 25, 2005 |
| Labour Day | May 1 |
| Panama's Separation from Colombia | November 3 & 5 |
| First Independence Proclamation in La Villa de los Santos | November 10 |
| Independence from Spain | November 28 |
| Mother's Day | December 8 |
| Christmas | December 25 |