What changed
- Mooring from shore. Mooring services for all vessels are carried out from shore stations by the Canal Mooring and Lights Company, without mooring personnel boarding. Notice to Mariners No. 1 of 2024 is cancelled.
- Exceptions. The SCA can still require mooring launches or personnel for towed units, drilling rigs, integrated units, special units and any vessel it judges needs them. A unit that refuses or can't receive them will have a tug imposed to do the mooring.
- Lump sum: USD 3,800 for vessels of 2,500 GT and above, and USD 2,350 for vessels under 2,500 GT.
- Searchlights. Every vessel must provide its own searchlight meeting the SCA's specification in the Rules of Navigation (December 2020). No electrician from the Canal Mooring and Lights Company boards. The light is inspected on the vessel's first transit, and again if remarks were recorded on a previous transit.
- Fine: USD 500 per transit, from the first transit, if there is no searchlight or it doesn't comply.
Who is affected
- All vessels transiting from 15 May 2026, including naval vessels, unless covered by special arrangements or separate agreements.
- Vessels that used to rent the canal searchlight on board.
What to do
- Check the searchlight on board against the SCA specification before arrival. Fines apply from the first transit.
- Budget the mooring lump sum in your disbursement estimate.
- If your vessel is a towed unit, rig or other special unit, ask your agent whether onboard mooring services will be required.