Panama to Optimize Maritime Transport with New System

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) have joined forces to launch a new project to facilitate international maritime transport.

Under the Panama Maritime Single Window System (VUMPA), the parties aim to optimize national and international maritime transactions through the simplification and coordination of processes, including reception and departure of ships, contributing to the exchange of electronic information in maritime transportation.

Every ship must provide the required information electronically through the VUMPA system, so that all government institutions carry out the risk assessment prior to the arrival of the vessel. The first inspection on the arrival of an international shipping vessel is carried out by a single inspector of the Republic of Panama.

This project allows for the recognition of the inspector who carries out the inspection by both authorities.

This initiative is expected to reduce costs, streamline processes and improve transparency and productivity, according to the Panama Canal.

VUMPA is available from September 20, 2017 and will be in operation for those ships that arrive to Panama from September 24, 2017.

In a separate announcemenet, the Panama Canal Authority said that the number of booking slots available to Neopanamax vessels would be increased as of December 1, 2017.

Namely, one additional booking slot will be offered to vessels transiting northbound, for a maximum of four northbound slots per day. The number of slots for southbounds will remain at three per day.

World Maritime News Staff