Panama Canal promotes sustainable maritime shipping with NetZero Slot

(Posted on 27/03/25)

Contributing to the commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the Panama Canal authority has reported the launch of the NetZero Slot, a transit slot reserved only for vessels with low carbon emissions, as a strategy to incentivize customers on their path to decarbonisation.

Beginning 5 October, 2025, the Panama Canal will implement the first phase of a weekly NetZero Slot for Neopanamax vessels that meet specific low-carbon emission requirements. Unlike previous announcements, this slot will not be offered through an auction but through a competition in Period 1A, held 30 days before the transit date. The first phase will accommodate vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines that use fuel with a carbon intensity of less than 75 gCO2(e)/MJ, from extraction to combustion (Well-to-Wake, or WtW). Specifications for a second phase, planned for 2026, will be announced via the publication of an Advisory to Shipping.

Benefits for the Maritime Industry:

The vessel entitled to the NetZero Slot will have the following benefits:

• Choosing the transit date within the week offered.

• Guaranteed transit time of 24 hours.

• Just-in-time (JIT) service included.

The Panama Canal launched this offering to reaffirm the interoceanic waterway’s leadership as one of the safest and greenest on the planet, recognising the Canal’s commitment to the maritime industry and the future of our planet.

Ilya Espino de Marotta, the Panama Canal’s Deputy Administrator and Sustainability Officer, highlighted that this step joins other initiatives being developed with the vision of contributing to the global goals of efficiency and effectiveness in maritime operations while reducing the carbon footprint. “By motivating investment in vessels capable of using low-carbon fuels and energy-efficient technologies, we are recognizing and rewarding our clients who are leading the transition toward a more sustainable future, while we await the development of regional infrastructure and logistics that will allow us to make steady progress toward global decarbonization goals,” stated Mrs. Espino de Marotta.

Through the NetZero Slot initiative, the Panama Canal reaffirms its commitment to advancing cleaner, more sustainable maritime transport, while honouring and encouraging its users’ dedication to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.