Panama Canal passage fees increases

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) revealed that they would gradually increase canal passage fees from October 1st.
The ACP plans to fees by 8% on October 1st and then another 4.5% in July 2003.
In accordance with the plan, passage fees for vessel tonnage would be added between $2.26 and $2.96. Also to introduce a locomotive usage fee as much as $200 dollar per wire according to previous plans.
The Panama Council also confirmed a new price structure in addition to passage fee increases as ACP had suggested. The new price structure aims to establish a computerized passage fee system based on vessel type and tonnage. The ACP publicly revealed that the confirmed issues result from considerations of ideas and opinions from a July 19th hearing in which canal users submitted opinions to the ACP. By gradually increasing canal passage fees, the ACP expects to incur losses of as much as $12 million from its projected income.