The
Panama Canal Authority announced last week
it was delaying implementation of its first
round of increases in container tolls from
May to July, and keeping open the public
comment period for another two weeks.
In February,
the Authority announced a plan for modest
immediate increases in tolls per container
through the canal, and sharper increase
in 2008 and 2009 (up to $72 per container).
(See Panama
Canal to Raise Container Tolls near
bottom of News Bites stories ).
After a comment
period that drew significant complaints
from shippers and carriers, the implementation
of the first increase has been pushed back
until July. The Authority is also promising
to avoid any additional increases to 2009.
The
increased fees can be seen both as a factor
of supply and demand, and the need for massive
investment in the canal to increase throughput
and handle larger ships. Shippers
moving goods from the U.S. Gulf Coast to
Asia can save up to 10 voyage days by using
the Panama
Canal. |