The Panama Canal Authority has announced changes to the rules and conditions for Last-Minute Transit Reservations and the introduction of a $500 Vessel Scheduling Fee for yachts, implemented since January 1, 2025.

Published 5 days ago

Source:  Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping

Canal Transit Fees

The final staged increase in canal transit fees took place on 1 January, 2025. Small boats have to pay an additional $195 in toll fees. Since 1 January 2023 there has been an annual increase in tolls for yachts transiting the Canal, with the final increase in January 2025.

New Booking Fee

However, an unexpected additional booking fee was announced just a few days before the end of 2024, that will set back yacht owners a further $500. This new Vessel Scheduling Fee came into effect on January 1, 2025.

The Panama Canal Authority say this fee is being implemented to better accommodate vessels |(small craft less than 125ft in length) that cannot be booked through the regular reservation system, but require coordination with the Canal to be scheduled for transit.

The Panama Canal Authority Advisory contains details of the new fee:

Many yachts lined up to transit in January and February will have to accept this new fee, however, it may affect the decisions of many small yacht owners who are still considering whether or not to go through Panama.

See a breakdown of all fees at Noonsite’s Panama Canal Transit Guide.

For any inquiries, please contact: operationservices@pancanal.com.

For full details see the following document from the Panama Canal Authority.

• Scheduling and Last Minute Services.
• Advisory to Shipping No. A-46 – 2024

Thanks to Erick A. Galvez of Centenario & Co. S.A. for sharing this information with Noonsite.

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