Panama Canal－New Water Conservation Strategies effective 15 February 2020 We would like to announce the summary of New Water Conservation Strategies by Panama Canal Authority (ACP) which came into effect on 15 February 2020. These Strategies were introduced due to water shortage of Gatun lake, which supplies water to the Panama Canal because of lack of rainfall and high level of evaporation by high temperature. They will make two big effects to transiting vessels.   Increase of fees to pass the Canal A fresh water surcharge, a booking fee and a transit itinerary creation fee will be imposed on transiting vessels.   A fresh water surcharge is applied to all transiting vessels over 125 feet (38.1 meters) length overall. The surcharge amount will be calculated from length of overall transiting vessels and water level of Gatun Lake.   A booking fee, in other words “transit reservation fee” shall be paid in full no later than 48 hours after the slot allocation is confirmed by ACP. If a vessel has been allocated a slot prior to 15 February, 2020, this amount will be paid once the vessel transits.   A transit itinerary creation fee will be applied to vessels with 125 feet (38.1 meters) LOA or more. This fee amount depends on the length of beam. This fee shall be paid no later than 48 hours after acceptance of the transit itinerary by ACP.   Decrease of Prebooking Slots The total number of daily booking slots was decreased from 31 to 27 slots. Details are as follows;   -up to 90.99 feet in beam: 6 slots -up to 107 feet in beam: 13 slots -over 107 feet in beam: 8 slots (unchanged)   For Further Details, please see the circulars issued by ACP.