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.