New positioning system requirement for neopanamax vessels

05 Jul 2023 / Panama Canal, Panama

Effective October 1, 2023, all vessels transiting the Panama Canal with beams 33.2 metres (109 feet) or more will be required to have a fixed (non-portable) piloting unit with real time kinetics (RTK) for submeter accuracy.

Even though a portage piloting unit will be available for rental during a period of time, we encourage all customers to continue their procurement, configuration, and installation process of the fixed RTK antenna to comply with the above mentioned requirement, which cost and time are significantly less than the possible transit delay and rental cost you may have without it.

The above mentioned requirement is mandatory, and the following procedures must be followed:

  1. Send an email to [email protected] when the installation and configuration of the fixed RTK antenna has been completed.
  2. When a vessel with fixed RTK antenna installed announces its visit to the Panama Canal, include the following in the visit remark through the Panama Maritime Single Window (VUMPA for its Spanish acronym): NPU completed.
  3. A minimum of three connections shall be available in the RTK antenna network for Panama Canal usage, while the vessel is in Panama Canal waters. In addition, we recommend designating Wi-Fi channel 11 exclusively for the RTK antenna network.

We are currently working with several suppliers, and they have informed us of the following: (a) there is equipment available; (b) the installation and configuration of the antenna takes less than a day.

The list of evaluated and approved equipment, specifications, installation guide and frequently asked questions are available at https://pancanal.com/en/maritime-services/non-portable-piloting-unit/.

(For information about operations in the Panama Canal, contact GAC Panama at [email protected])

Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No. A-32-2023 dated 4 July 2023

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.