The Panama Canal Authority is introducing a new weekly reservation slot dedicated to environmentally friendly vessels. Branded as the “NetZero Slot,” the initiative will start on October 3 and apply for the transit week of November 2–8, 2025.
Unlike the auction-based system for regular transits, the NetZero slot will be allocated through a competitive scheme favoring greener ships. Eligible vessels must be dual-fuel capable and able to run on at least one fuel with a carbon intensity factor no higher than 75 gCO2e/MJ. Qualifying fuels include green methanol, green ammonia, bio-LNG, and bio-LPG.
Priority will be given to loaded ships, those with higher PCUMS tonnage, and—if needed—previous toll and service contributions as tie-breakers. Successful applicants will gain operational advantages such as guaranteed 24-hour passage, flexibility in transit scheduling, Just-in-Time service, and the option to substitute vessels with similar specifications.
Ilya Espino de Marotta, the Canal’s Deputy Administrator and Sustainability Officer, said the program signals the Canal’s commitment to sustainability while encouraging customers to invest in cleaner technologies.
The initiative forms part of the Canal’s broader target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and underscores its role in supporting the global maritime industry’s energy transition.
