Japan shipowners want lower Panama Canal hikes

The Japanese Shipowners’ Association voiced strong objections on Friday to the toll increases proposed by the Panama Canal Authority and urged it to withdraw the increases scheduled for this October and October 2013 in favor of further consultation with the industry.

The association said in comments to the canal authority released Friday that it considers the proposed tolls “disproportionate even when the cost of canal expansion is brought into the equation.”

The JSA said it understands that many comments by other parties expressed similar concerns to the ACP.

Source: Journal of Commerce