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In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Canada, all ports – North American Emission Control Area (ECA)
- Panama, Panama Canal – Proposed modification of Canal tolls structure
DATE: April 25, 2012 – COUNTRY: Canada – PORT: all ports North American Emission Control Area (ECA)
The North American Emission Control Area (ECA) will come into effect on August 1, 2012.
Under this new regulation, all ships sailing within 200 nautical miles of the North American coastline, including Canada, will be required to use fuel oil with maximum sulphur content of 1%. The sulphur content of fuel oil will be further restricted to 0.1% from January 1, 2015.
From August 1, Transport Canada, Port State Control Officer will check ships’ compliance with ECA requirements. In the initial stage, they will check: A) Ship’s bunker delivery receipt to verify sulphur content of fuel oil supplied B) MSDS of fuel oil C) Ship’s record of fuel oil changeover procedures prior entering into ECA areas D) Record of shipboard incinerator usage
In case a vessel cannot comply with ECA requirements due to non-availability of low sulphur fuel oil during voyage, owners must show proof that an attempt has been made to obtain low-sulphur fuel oil and PSC will consider on a case-by-case basis if a penalty will be imposed for non-compliance.
Meanwhile, ships are required to have the following certificates/documents on board: – International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) certificate – Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) certificate – technical file of each applicable marine diesel engine – record book of engine parameters for each marine diesel engine – written procedures covering fuel oil change oil operations
For information about operations in Canada, and the rest of the Americas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com
DATE: April 25, 2012 – COUNTRY: Panama – PORT: Panama Canal – Proposed modification of Canal tolls structure
The Panama Canal Authority Board of Directors have approved a proposal to modify the Panama Canal tolls structure.
The proposed changes incloude the segmentation of tolls including now full containers (no increase), general cargo (7.5% average increase 2012), container/break-bulk (7.5% average increase 2012), reefers (no increase), dry bulk (7.5% average increase 2012), petroleum tankers (5% average increase 2012), chemical tankers (7.5% average increase 2012), LPG (7.5% average increase 2012), vehicle carriers/ro-ros (7.5% average increase 2012), passengers (no increase) and others (7.5 average increase 2012).
The proposal would become effective on July 1, 2012 and another proposed increase in July 1, 2013.
The Panama Canal Authority is inviting all interested parties in the consultation process to modify the tolls structure, and a pub, lic hearing will be held ihn Panama City, Panama, on May 23, 2012. The Authority will consider all correspondence received by 4.15pm (local time on May 21, 2012, as well as comments and opinions presented during the public hearing.
For more detailed information go to http://www.pancanal.com/peajes/pdf/proposal2012.pdf
For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com
