Panama Canal toll hike; European reg changes

26 Apr 2012

The board of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has approved a toll increase of 15% in two years, on seven types of large ships, and from 60% to 113% for small vessels passing through the Panama Canal as

of 1 July 2012, sources said. For smaller vessels, there are proposed increases in four price levels on the basis of the length (L) of the vessel, ranging between 60% and 113%, so the new tolls would be $500 to $800 dollars for smaller boats (15.24 meters) and $1,500 to $3,200 to the largest (30.48 meters). Furthermore, the rate per ton of displacement, now $3.02, also will increase 15.5% to $3.25 as of 1 July, and to $3.49 in the same month next year.

ACP administrator Alberto Aleman, said the proposal brings the tolls closer to the value and quality advantages offered by the route through the Panama Canal, while maintaining the competitiveness of the route. "The ACP reaffirms its interest in maintaining a dialogue with the industry to enable us to structure a system of tolls according to the needs of our users which results in benefits for themselves and for Panama," Aleman said

The proposed change approved last Wednesday, also increases tolls on eight to eleven distinct types of ships passing through the waterway, which "seeks to approximate the amount of toll to the value offered by the interoceanic route to their users," detailed the ACP in a statement. The segments will be defined as: container, general cargo, container / bulk cargo, refrigerated cargo, bulk dry, tankers, gas carriers, car carriers, ro-ro and passenger and others. Those with recorded increases of 15% (7.5% in 2012 and the same percentage in 2013) are general cargo, containers / breakbulk, bulk dry, tankers, chemical tankers and others (those not covered by any of categories). Car carriers and ro-ro (roll-on/roll off, equipped with ramps) will be increase by only 1.6 to 1.7% in the toll from July 1 next, said the statement of the proposal. The rate for each segment is calculated on a table that gives a price for the first 10,000 tons, one for the next 10,000 and a third rate for the rest.

Until now, the ships were classified as: container, refrigerated cargo, dry bulk carriers, passenger, car carriers, tankers, general cargo and others. Now they have removed the tanker segment, and added the tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers and container ships / loose cargo. Furthermore, the vehicle carriers will be incorporated with the ro-ro vessels, car carriers being called in/ro-ro.

According to the statement, the ACP is open from now until next May 21 for a consultation process in which interested parties may apply for participation at the public hearing to be held on May 23 at the ACP, to receive feedback from users about the announcement of the increase, which then must be approved by the Cabinet of the Government of Panama to take effect. (Panama America) http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20120421063143306

May 2012

Indemnity for Yacht 3rd Party liability Italy

With effect from June 2012 it will be a legal requirement for all boats sailing in Italian waters to have Third Party Liability insurance of at least 5,000,000 euros per person. See Pantaenius doc. below.

13 Mar 2012  sail-world.com: berthing tax amended in Italy

Cruising sailors on foreign yachts thinking of sailing in Italian waters any time soon can relax about the cost. A new law coming into effect in May 2012 would have incurred a 'berthing tax' to stay in Italy. The tax has been amended so that only Italian-owned yachts are affected.

For more information, see the article at http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/index.cfm?nid=94496&rid=11

Jan 2012 Norwegian lay-up rules relaxed

It is now possible to leave a boat unattended in Norway over the winter without incurring import duty. Following extensive lobbying particularly by the Norwegian Boating Association the Norwegian Lay-up Rules have been relaxed. An application is necessary accompanied by a letter from the yard where the boat is to be kept confirming this. Permission will normally be granted for one year and usually will be extended for a second year on application. There is no charge. The NorwegianCustoms website www.toll.no gives helpful advice including an application for in English.

However, the 'six week' rule still applies; one may not leave a foreign boat unattended in Norway for more than six weeks, without making an application to Norwegian Customs.

12 Mar 2012 Red diesel ruling  www.rya.org.uk