The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has warned owners that ships passing through the Panama Canal may face more than 30% higher costs under new Panama Canal Authority measures and has called on the authority to postpone the introduction of a new charge. The Panama Canal Authority has said it will impose a Freshwater Charge on ships passing through the canal, starting February 15 which ICS calculates the move will increase costs to ships passing through the canal by up to 15%. Additionally, ICS said the Panama Canal Authority 2020 Tolls Modification, which is due to become effective on April 1, could see additional cost increases of up to 17% for ships passing through the canal.
