Authorities of Panama Canal have been forced to undertake special measures to reduce the long wait of ships for a transatlantic crossing. Complications began since last September and especially last Tuesday saw an appalling 130 ships waiting to transit. This led to more time in the anchorages of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, besides leading to the increase in means and workers to clear the transit in a quicker pace.
Some views of Rainiero Salas, President of the Panama Canal Pilots Association, published in the newspaper La Estrella is as follows:
- Some vessels were retired by the millionaire economic losses caused by the delay.
- The real reason for the stay of vessels is due to delays in maintenance that did not meet the progressive program.
- Ships with no reservations usually wait a day to transit the Canal, but now they must wait for six to seven days, and the wait even reached 11 and 12.
According to a publication of captain, an interactive community of maritime professionals said a transit through the Panama Canal lasts from 10 to 12 hours.
The publication also pointed out that there is no slot available to reserve for a specific day and time and if any slots available, they are auctioned for astronomical amounts.
Source: Prensa Latina
