HEFTY FINES WITHOUT PCSOPEP PLAN
All vessels entering the Panama Canal waters receive a hefty fine if they don’t have an Authorized Person (AP) related to PCSOPEP, when they arrive. This can be time-consuming, costly and frustrating when time is money and coordination of logistics is vital.
YOU NEED A RELIABLE LOCAL PANAMANIAN PARTNER
You need a reliable local Panamanian partner as per regulations. We are a Panamanian company and your local Authorized Person / Representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As your PCSOPEP experts we know the current regulations and policies required to uphold PCSOPEP process. We have competitive pricing and options based on your ships.
HEFTY FINES WITHOUT PCSOPEP PLAN
All vessels entering the Panama Canal waters receive a hefty fine if they don’t have an Authorized Person (AP) related to PCSOPEP, when they arrive. This can be time-consuming, costly and frustrating when time is money and coordination of logistics is vital.
YOU NEED A RELIABLE LOCAL PANAMANIAN PARTNER
You need a reliable local Panamanian partner as per regulations. We are a Panamanian company and your local Authorized Person / Representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As your PCSOPEP experts we know the current regulations and policies required to uphold PCSOPEP process. We have competitive pricing and options based on your ships.
List the things that the annual fee covers and then list the discounts if they sign up more than a certain
amount of ships with us.
ANNUAL PCSOPEP FEE INCLUDES
PER YEAR/ PER SHIP
Authorized PCSOPEP Person Representing Your company
Written PCSOPEP Plan
Submission of PCSOPEP Plan
Regular Communication and Updates
Discount for Larger Fleets
Discount
For Larger Fleets
10-15% off
What is PCSOPEP?
The Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (PCSOPEP) is a program that seeks to implement emergency preparedness strategies for Panama Canal waters. The PCSOPEP services aids the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in minimizing consequences of oil pollution and emergencies by safeguarding life, reducing the impact on the environment, and ensuring the continuous operation of the panama canal.
Vessels have the responsibility to comply with the oil polution regulations of PCSOPEP services and, in the event of a oil polution, shall activate its own plan and notify the ACP canal authority, as stated in the Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters, Chapter IX, Section Four, following the oil pollution regulations developed here in by the ACP canal authority. However, all efforts shall be in accordance with Article 10 of the oil pollution regulations on Navigation in Panama Canal waters.
Authorized Person (AP)
The ACP has given more information on the role of a Authorised Person in its latest Advisory (N12-2014), stating that the Authorised person should act as liaison between the ACP and the vessel and it’s owners in order to provide the provision of a guarantee approved by the ACP, for the charge of cleanup and response following an oil spill.
The ACP has also clarified that the ship’s agent can perform the role of an AP(Authorised Person). As your trusted ship agent Adimar Shipping, Inc. performs PCSOPEP services for a very reasonable price.
Oil Spill Preparedness Program
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has established a preparedness program for oil spill emergencies in Panama Canal waters. In the response sequence to an oil spill, the activation of the PCSOPEP is the responsibility of the vessel. Besides internal actions taken by the vessel, the ACP will respond in accordance with its contingency plan.
The ACP preparedness program establishes an initial response time of six hours, which includes: the time for notification and mobilization of personnel, the time for transportation of personnel and resources to any spill location within the response area, the time for deployment of resources, and the time for start-up of operation.
the ACP will not charge rates for the use of emergency response equipment available under the PCSOPEP program. However, the ACP will assess and charge other expenses of the response and cleanup activities.
How Can We Help You With Your PCSOPEP?
Our Core Values
As a PCSOPEP services agency we Provide excellent service and support for our clients, always
demonstrating integrity in everything we do.
Our Core Values
As a PCSOPEP services agency we Provide excellent service and support for our clients, always demonstrating integrity in everything we do.
PCSOPEP Services Rules & Regulations
Vessels failing to submit a compliant PCSOPEP at least 96 hours prior to arrival at Canal waters will be classified as non-compliant and will not be given a grace period. In these cases, the vessel will be scheduled as Tier 3 and will be charged accordingly, as well as for additional resources assigned to the vessel due to this non-compliance Moreover, the vessel will only be permitable for transit after the ship owners, operators or shipping agent have paid or provided satisfactory guarantees for the payment of the applicable sanction, which will be set at a minimum of $2,500.00. Following arrivals to Panama Canal waters under similar non-compliance conditions will generate increased fines that may result in denial of transit. Ship owners, operators, and masters are encouraged to ensure that their vessels comply with the PCSOPEP services requirements and other Panama Canal regulations to avoid this inconvenience.
The PCSOPEP services can be a standalone document or an annex to an existing SOPEP or SMPEP with adequate cross references. However, neither the SOPEP nor the SMPEP alone can substitute the PCSOPEP services. Evidence of approval is in two forms, the Confirmation of Compliance (COC) and the Notice of acknowledgement (NOA). The confirmation of compliance takes place after the PCSOPEP services is reviewed by the ACP Canal authority and found to be in order, at which time the ACP Canal authority sends an e-mail to the plan writer confirming the said condition. The plan writer will in turn notify the Operator of the vessel. The NOA (Notice of acknowledgement) is accomplished at the time the ship arrives at the Canal and is boarded by the Authorities, and this can happen several months or even years after the PCSOPEP was originally submitted for verification. It is the NOA what establishes the expiration date of the PCSOPEP services.
The PCSOPEP services expires four years from the date the NOA is delivered to the ship by an ACP boarding officer. Vessels shall provide, where applicable, the following documents to the ACP for verification:
- A copy of the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP).
- A copy of the Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (PCSOPEP), prepared specifically for the vessel.
Additionally, a copy of the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP), Annex I, MARPOL, or a copy of the Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP), Annex II, MARPOL, must be available upon request. A PCSOPEP shall include the following information, as a minimum:
- Oil pollution prevention measures for Panama Canal waters
- Spill notification procedures in a prioritized sequence
- Spill response procedures
- Crew training program for the reaction to shipboard and shore spill incidents
- Record of exercises
- Identification of the Authorized Person and telephone and facsimile where they can be reached on a 24-hour basis.
If the PCSOPEP is prepared as an appendix to an existing SOPEP or SMPEP, the complete copy of the SOPEP or SMPEP shall be submitted in order for the PCSOPEP to be verified.
We are your “Authorized Person” to represent your good vessel before the Panama Canal.
PCSOPEP Services Rules & Regulations
Vessels failing to submit a compliant PCSOPEP at least 96 hours prior to arrival at Canal waters will be classified as non-compliant and will not be given a grace period. In these cases, the vessel will be scheduled as Tier 3 and will be charged accordingly, as well as for additional resources assigned to the vessel due to this non-compliance Moreover, the vessel will only be permitable for transit after the ship owners, operators or shipping agent have paid or provided satisfactory guarantees for the payment of the applicable sanction, which will be set at a minimum of $2,500.00. Following arrivals to Panama Canal waters under similar non-compliance conditions will generate increased fines that may result in denial of transit. Ship owners, operators, and masters are encouraged to ensure that their vessels comply with the PCSOPEP services requirements and other Panama Canal regulations to avoid this inconvenience.
The PCSOPEP services can be a standalone document or an annex to an existing SOPEP or SMPEP with adequate cross references. However, neither the SOPEP nor the SMPEP alone can substitute the PCSOPEP services. Evidence of approval is in two forms, the Confirmation of Compliance (COC) and the Notice of acknowledgement (NOA). The confirmation of compliance takes place after the PCSOPEP services is reviewed by the ACP Canal authority and found to be in order, at which time the ACP Canal authority sends an e-mail to the plan writer confirming the said condition. The plan writer will in turn notify the Operator of the vessel. The NOA (Notice of acknowledgement) is accomplished at the time the ship arrives at the Canal and is boarded by the Authorities, and this can happen several months or even years after the PCSOPEP was originally submitted for verification. It is the NOA what establishes the expiration date of the PCSOPEP services.
The PCSOPEP services expires four years from the date the NOA is delivered to the ship by an ACP boarding officer. Vessels shall provide, where applicable, the following documents to the ACP for verification:
- A copy of the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP).
- A copy of the Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (PCSOPEP), prepared specifically for the vessel.
Additionally, a copy of the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP), Annex I, MARPOL, or a copy of the Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP), Annex II, MARPOL, must be available upon request. A PCSOPEP shall include the following information, as a minimum:
- Oil pollution prevention measures for Panama Canal waters
- Spill notification procedures in a prioritized sequence
- Spill response procedures
- Crew training program for the reaction to shipboard and shore spill incidents
- Record of exercises
- Identification of the Authorized Person and telephone and facsimile where they can be reached on a 24-hour basis.
If the PCSOPEP is prepared as an appendix to an existing SOPEP or SMPEP, the complete copy of the SOPEP or SMPEP shall be submitted in order for the PCSOPEP to be verified.
We are your “Authorized Person” to represent your good vessel before the Panama Canal.
Specialists In Services, Requirements & Guidance
As a PCSOPEP services agency we follow your vessel each step of the way ensuring that every last detail is handled as if we were your local office. Recognizing the distinct needs of different kinds of vessels, we have created teams of specialists for the cargo operations. Our expertise and professionalism provides a high standard of customer care. Our team works closely as your PCSOPEP services agency with each vessel to ensure smooth transit. We provide timely responses within the business day to our valuable clients for quotes, questions and services, and also responding to all urgent matters immediately.
Specialists In Services, Requirements & Guidance
As a PCSOPEP services agency we follow your vessel each step of the way ensuring that every last detail is handled as if we were your local office. Recognizing the distinct needs of different kinds of vessels, we have created teams of specialists for the cargo operations. Our expertise and professionalism provides a high standard of customer care. Our team works closely as your PCSOPEP services agency with each vessel to ensure smooth transit. We provide timely responses within the business day to our valuable clients for quotes, questions and services, and also responding to all urgent matters immediately.
Latest News
European Commission to reduce Ocean Pollution
A new proposal that will help Europe to comply with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) has been released from The European Commission. It's mainly focused on a revised
Iranian Ship on Fire – Oil Spill, China
Oil Spill - There is a 46 sq mile oil slick that is thought to be made up of heavy fuel that was used to power the Iranian oil Tanker. The panamanian-flagged oil tanker, MV
Deep Water Collaboration
Recently, on 2017, the international company Royal Dutch Shell and Petrobras signed an agreement of understanding to establish a long-term mutual collaboration in the development of pre-salt fields in Brazil. By signing this memorandum Shell
Services, Requirements & Guidance
We are your “Authorized Person” to represent your good vessel before the Panama Canal
For latest news and weekly newsletter