Seatrade Maritime: Panama Canal to offer flexible transit slots for dual-fuel vessels

Vessels capable of operating on low carbon fuels will benefit from new NetZero slot category on key waterway.

In a move to encourage decarbonisation the Panama Canal Authority has announced reservation category dubbed the “NetZero Slot”. The category is designed to help the canal to achieve its ambition of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Under the new category vessels will need to be dual-fuel and capable of running on a fuel with a carbon intensity factor equal to, or less than 75 gCO₂e/MJ. Fuels covered by the category include green methanol, green ammonia, bio-LNG, and bio-LPG. However, vessels will not need to be operating on such fuels when transiting the Panama Canal, merely be capable of doing so. For example, while an LNG dual-fuel vessel might not operate on bio-LNG, it would be eligible for the scheme as it would be capable of operating on bio-LNG in the future.

Ships that qualify for and are then awarded NetZeroSlot would gain a number of benefits in terms of flexibility of transit. These will include:
• Freedom to select their preferred transit date within the assigned week.
• Guaranteed transit within 24 hours.
• Inclusion of the Just-in-Time service.
• Flexibility to exchange, or substitute vessels of equivalent specifications.

Unlike other slot categories the NetZero Slots will not be auctioned by rather there will be a weekly competition with vessels that meet certain criteria having preference. The criteria are as follows:

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1. Cargo Condition: Preference given to loaded vessels.
2. PCUMS Capacity: Priority awarded to higher tonnage.
3. Economic Contribution: Combined payments from tolls, maritime services, and fees from prior transit (used as a tiebreaker).

The first competition to allocate this slot will take place on 3 October 2025, applicable to the transit week of 2 – 8 November  2025. Beginning on that date, one weekly slot will be reserved exclusively for vessels that meet low-emission criteria.

“The NetZero Slot is an unequivocal signal of our commitment to sustainability and the competitiveness of global trade. Through this initiative, we aim to support our customers in the transition toward a low-emissions future,” said Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator and Chief Sustainability Officer.10 September. The port said no further leaks had been observed.

“In just a few days, we have made significant progress in securing the vessel cargo and recovering containers — all while maintaining the highest standards of safety for response workers and crew onboard the vessel,” said Capt. Stacey Crecy, Commander, US Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach.

A 500-yard safety zone remains in place around the container ship.

The incident occurred  a few hours after the Zim-chartered Mississippi berthed in the Port of Long Beach on 9 September following a voyage across the Pacific from Yantian in China. 

The cause of the stack collapses remains unknown although port worker union representatives have ruled out human error on the part of dockworkers.

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An investigation is being led by the USCG and the National Transportation Safety Board is underway to determine the cause of the incident.