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Maneuvering Fuel Regulations in Panama Canal

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Maneuvering Fuel Regulations in Panama Canal
July 10, 2023
by Cross Roads Agencies

Maneuvering Fuel Regulations in Panama Canal

  1. Except as specified below, vessels arriving at Panama Canal (ACP) waters shall switch their main propulsion engines, boilers, auxiliary generator engines, and other ancillary equipment from residual fuels to marine distillate fuels. Changeover must be completed according to the following:
    1. Southbound vessels, at least eight nautical miles from the Breakwater on the Atlantic side.
    2. Northbound vessels, at least three nautical miles from the Sea Buoy at the Pacific Entrance.
  2. Vessels shall record the fuel changeover in their Engine Room Logbook and/or Fuel Oil Changeover Record Book. The record book entries shall specify the date and time of commencement and ending of the changeover from marine residual fuel to marine distillate fuel.
  3. After completion of any changeover to marine distillate fuel, the vessel shall verify that the main propulsion engine operates properly. If necessary, the vessel shall undertake appropriate corrective actions to ensure the vessel’s safe and expeditious transit of the Panama Canal.
  4. Vessels may supplement or replace marine distillate fuels with any of the following:
    1. LNG fuel (including boil-off gas)
    2. Biofuels compliant with MARPOL Annex VI
    3. Residual marine fuels with maximum sulfur concentration of 0.5% and not exceeding a viscosity of 70 centistokes @ 50°C.
    4. A closed loop scrubber in zero discharge mode or a hybrid scrubber in closed loop and zero discharge mode
  5. The type of fuel and scrubber combination intended for use in Panama Canal waters must be uploaded by the vessel’s local agent to the FUEL DECLARATION menu in VUMPA for all vessels arriving to Panama Canal waters. In turn, this information will be verified on the BDN or corresponding fuel analysis report by Panama Canal Boarding Officers upon the vessel’s arrival to Canal waters. Additionally, vessels with approved scrubbers, must have the following information readily available for verification: IAPP Certificate and Supplement thereof, total volume of effluent holding tanks, and logbook entries confirming that effluent holding tanks were emptied prior to arriving to Canal waters.
    Note: Warships, submarines, dredges, non-self-propelled vessels, and vessels with length up to 125 ft. are exempted from uploading information to the Fuel Declaration menu.
  6. The use of open loop scrubbers or hybrid scrubbers in open loop mode is prohibited in Panama Canal waters.
  7. Vessels making only a local port call and not transiting will not be required to switch their main propulsion engines, boilers, auxiliary generator engines, and other ancillary equipment to marine distillate fuel. These vessels may use marine residual fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% and viscosity higher than 70 cSt @50 °C or a closed loop scrubber or hybrid scrubber in closed loop and zero discharge mode.
  8. Vessels anchoring prior to transit will be permitted to use marine residual fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% and viscosity higher than 70 cSt @50 °C to operate their auxiliary generator engines, boilers, and other ancillary equipment while at the Pacific or Atlantic Anchorages, only if they are capable of maintaining their main propulsion engines simultaneously on marine distillate fuel.
  9. The vessels described in the preceding paragraph shall switch from the fuel being used for their auxiliary generators, boilers, and other ancillary equipment to marine distillate fuel at least two (2) hours prior to the scheduled pilot time for their Canal transit. These vessels will be deemed ready for transit only after the changeover to marine distillate fuel has been completed.
  10. Vessels proceeding to port terminals or anchorages within Canal waters immediately after completing their transit will be permitted to switch back to residual marine fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% and viscosity higher than 70 cSt @50 °C, once the vessel is moored alongside the dock or is anchored.
  11. Vessels that arrive to Panama Canal waters burning non-compliant fuel will be required to return back to sea in order to changeover to a suitable fuel. Once the vessel departs Canal waters, it loses its slot in the cue. In other words, arriving with unsuitable fuel may result in delays, fines, and forfeited reservation fees.
  12. A quick reference guide, a fuel compliance calculator, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions are available at Panama Canal’s official website.
  13. Further inquiries on the matter shall be directed to fuel-compliance@pancanal.com

For any further information or clarification, feel free to contact us.

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