The Panama Canal will begin offering a dedicated weekly slot for dual-fuel vessels from November, as part of its plan to back cleaner shipping and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The first allocation for the new NetZero Slot is set for 3 October 2025, covering the transit week of 2–8 November. From then on, one reserved slot per week will be available only to ships meeting the canal’s green criteria.
Winning ships will secure guaranteed passage within 24 hours, the ability to choose their preferred transit date that week, access to the Just-in-Time service, and the flexibility to substitute another vessel of similar size.
To qualify in this first stage, vessels must be dual-fuel capable and able to run on at least one fuel with a carbon intensity of 75 gCO₂e/MJ or lower, such as green methanol, green ammonia, bio-LNG or bio-LPG. While immediate use of these fuels is not required, the canal will recognise vessels that are equipped to burn them once supply becomes available.
The slot will not be auctioned. Instead, the canal will rank applicants by whether they are loaded, their tonnage, and — if needed — their prior financial contributions in tolls and service fees.
The authority said the move underscores its intention to incentivise operators investing in alternative fuels and accelerate the sector’s transition to low-carbon energy.
The NetZero Slot will not be auctioned. Instead, eligible vessels will be ranked using three criteria:
- Cargo condition – laden vessels are ranked higher.
- Capacity – preference goes to ships with larger PCUMS tonnage.
- Economic contribution – in case of a tie, priority is given to vessels with the highest combined payments of tolls, marine services, booking, and auction fees from their most recent transit.
“The vessel awarded the NetZero Slot will be charged the Transit Reservation – Neopanamax Vessel fee as published in the Maritime Services Tariff,” the canal authority said.
