Panama Canal Authority to consider adding additional booking slots for LNG tankers

摘要

The Panama Canal Authority may add additional reserved LNG transit slots in the future to address the increase in US exports via the shortest route from the Gulf Coast to the key East Asia import market, the agency said Dec. 4. Delays of up to more than a week for LNG tankers passing through without a reservation began in late October and have continued recently. Last month, the Canal facilitated 53 LNG transits, up from 35 in October and 48 in November 2019, according to agency data. For overall vessel traffic, the Canal is currently facilitating an average of around 36 transits per day. The delays have been blamed on a combination of factors, including fog, higher-than-average arrivals and additional safety procedures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. Looking ahead, with US LNG export activity surging, and more capacity expected to come online through 2024, the Canal Authority wants to look at long-term options.