Panama Canal to Launch NetZero Slot for Clean-Fuel Neopanamax Vessels
Next week, the Panama Canal will introduce the NetZero Slot, a new initiative aimed at incentivizing Neopanamax vessels powered by clean fuels and equipped with energy-efficient technologies.
With this step, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is reinforcing its commitment to global maritime decarbonization goals and its long-term vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Encouraging Energy-Efficient and Low-Carbon Shipping
The NetZero Slot program will provide a weekly reservation opportunity for Neopanamax customers. According to the ACP, the initiative is designed to encourage investments in energy efficiency and adoption of low-carbon fuels.
“The NetZero Slot is part of the Panama Canal’s commitment to reward and incentivize investments in energy efficiency and low-carbon fuels. As the shipping industry and its value chain progresses toward net-zero emissions, we will continuously update the eligibility criteria to recognize and support these efforts,” the ACP stated.
The first competition will be held on October 3, 2025, for transits scheduled between November 2 and November 8, 2025. Customers must submit requests through the booking system, specifying their intended day of transit.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the NetZero Slot:
- Vessels must be dual-fuel capable, operating on at least one fuel with an approximate well-to-wake (WtW) carbon intensity of 75 gCO₂(e)/MJ or lower.
- Eligible dual-fuel technologies include dual LNG, dual LPG, dual methanol, and dual ammonia engines.
- First-time transit vessels are excluded, as they must first undergo inspection by the Panama Canal Admeasurement Unit prior to their maiden voyage.
The ACP clarified that vessels will not be required to use low-carbon fuels immediately, acknowledging that availability and scalability of such fuels are still under development.
Unlike auctions, the NetZero Slot selection will be based on multiple criteria, including cargo condition, vessel capacity, and overall economic contribution.
Global Alignment with IMO Standards
The program is closely aligned with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is developing a Sustainable Fuel Certification Scheme. This certification will measure greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI), expressed in gCO₂eq/MJ, using the well-to-wake approach—covering the full lifecycle from production to onboard consumption.
Once in place, this certification will allow the Panama Canal to verify vessel compliance with standardized carbon intensity requirements, ensuring transparency and accountability for programs like the NetZero Slot.
Long-Term Sustainability Roadmap
Earlier this year, the ACP unveiled its broader sustainability vision, which includes initiatives beyond the NetZero Slot. The ten-year roadmap focuses on strengthening the canal’s role in global trade while delivering environmental and economic benefits for Panama.
Key projects include:
- Río Indio Reservoir – Securing water for over one million Panamanians and improving transit reliability.
- Interoceanic Energy Corridor – Featuring a 76-kilometer pipeline and two maritime terminals, enabling the movement of up to 2.5 million barrels of energy products per day between the Atlantic and Pacific.
- Expected job creation: 45,000 during construction and 11,000 during operations.
- Estimated lifetime contribution: more than B/. 64 billion.
- Corozal Port – Positioned on the east bank, it will be integrated into a land-based logistics platform with road and rail connectivity.
The ACP plans to invest over B/. 8 million (approximately $7.9 million) in these strategic initiatives. This investment will generate jobs, drive national growth, and expand contributions to the National Government for social development projects.
Conclusion
The NetZero Slot initiative marks a milestone in the Panama Canal’s sustainability journey, directly supporting the shipping industry’s transition to low-carbon operations. Alongside its long-term infrastructure roadmap, the canal is positioning itself as not just a vital trade route but also a logistics and sustainability hub for the future of global commerce.
