Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Advisory to Shipping No.A-39-2019 Fuel Requirements Addendum

As you are aware, the Panama Canal recently joined the increasing number of regions where discharge of wash water from open-loop Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS, aka scrubbers) has been prohibited, in the lead up to the January 1, 2020 deadline for the IMO Fuel Sulfur cap.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) recently issued Advisory to Shipping No.A-39-2019 with a Fuel Requirements Addendum (copies attached), reminding all stakeholders of the fuel requirements for vessels anchoring, transiting through and docking at terminals in Panama Canal waters. The Advisory reiterates that NT Notice to Shipping No. N-1-2019 remains in force, then goes on to list the alternatives to using marine distillate fuel in that region. These alternatives are:

Ø  LNG fuel

Ø  Biofuels

Ø  Closed-loop scrubbers (EGCS)

Ø  ULSFO and VLSFO not exceeding a viscosity of 70 cst at 50 deg C.

Please refer to the attached Advisory and “Fuel Requirements in the Panama Canal” addendum for more detailed information at the link,

https://www.ukpandi.com/fileadmin/uploads/uk-pi/2019/ECM_Client_Alert_21_2019_-_Panama_Canal_Advisory-Updated_Fuel_Requirements.pdf