OREANDA-NEWS. June 05, 2017. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) plans to raise transit tolls for LPG tankers from 1 October.

Under the new toll system, the return trip cost for a very large gas carrier (VLGC) loaded with an 84,000m? cargo will increase by 29pc, to $455,080.

Assuming a 46,000t cargo with a volume of 84,000m?, Argus estimates the cost of a round-trip shipment from the US to Asia-Pacific will increase by $2.23/t. This amounts to less than 0.6pc of the delivered Asia Pacific LPG price as of 12 May, as assessed by the Argus Far East Index (AFEI).

But unworkable US-Asia spot arbitrage economics have resulted in cargo cancellations and periods of inactivity on the route this year. Increased transit tolls will present a further obstacle to the arbitrage-driven market.

The Panama Canal reduces the transit time of tankers carrying LPG produced in the US to markets in Asia-Pacific. Demand for VLGC transits has been "greater than anticipated", said the ACP. It said the new tolls will not "significantly impact the competitiveness of trade in products transported through the Panama Canal".