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GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
FOR VESSELS AT THE PANAMA CANAL
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On receipt of agency nomination, Norton Lilly will initiate immediately
contact with the Master to secure all relevant pre-arrival information for submission
to the Canal Authority in the electronic format (EDCS).
It is imperative vessels submit eta and all related information to the
agent with sufficient lead time to permit conversion of data to the EDCS system
prior to 96 hours. Recommend no later than 112 hours in advance. Failure
to provide timely/accurate information may result in delays. Vessels arriving
from ports less than 96 hours away from the Canal are required to provide preliminary
information in order to meet the 96 hour deadline. A second and final advice must
be submitted immediately upon departure from the last port of call.
Henceforth the Master should submit daily eta reports. Operator and/or
the Master should indicate if the vessel has experienced any problems during previous
transits i.e. ship's deficiencies, draft, etc., in order for remedial actions to
be taken, if possible, with the Canal Authority prior to arrival.
Once agency appointments received, Norton Lilly will be in daily contact
with operator and vessel to develop the most advantageous transit conditions as
is feasible. This will include information on booking slots and any other Canal
circumstances which may be relevant.
Although the main communication between Norton Lilly and the principal
will be via email, this will be complemented by telephone calls to the operator
of the vessel.
ARRIVAL / TRANSIT
On arrival at the Canal (Balboa/Cristobal),
Norton Lilly will send an initial
arrival report with as much information as is possible i.e. transit schedule if
known, or prospects, bunkers ROB, bunkering programme if applicable, etc.
The Canal transit will be closely monitored by both our offices on each
side of the Isthmus and should there be any interruption in the transit programmed
for whatever reason i.e. engine problems, ship's deficiencies, schedule changes
by the Canal Authority, etc., the operator will be advised by telephone as soon
as possible with a written report to follow.
Vessels at anchorage awaiting for transit, principal will be provided a
daily report furnishing update on the vessel's status.
Any additional Canal expenses incurred over and above the normal transit
costs will be advised the moment this information is available, and depending on
the circumstances will be challenged by
Norton Lilly on behalf of the principal.
SAILING
A departure report will be sent on vessel's sailing which will include any additional
comments concerning the vessel's transit as applicable.
BUNKERING
When vessels are nominated to receive fuel, particular attention will be paid to
closely liaise with the bunker supplier and/or the barge operator to ensure, as
far as is feasible, a smooth operation utilizing any waiting time for transit when
possible. It should be noted that the general policy of all fuel suppliers is to
deliver fuel to their customers on a first come first served basis.
All messages received from the principal or the vessel will be acknowledged
immediately during normal office hours and in cases where a full reply cannot
be furnished, an indication when the full response can be expected.
Norton Lilly
will constantly review vessels' activities with a view to reduce the vessel's
stay whenever possible; particularly vessels which cannot secure a transit
booking, close contact with the Canal Authority will be maintained in order to
take advantage of any window of opportunity.
To obtain this information with enterprise logo, please download following file.
Operating Procedures.doc (71KB)