According to the company’s website news release on February 16, 2023, the Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise has announced a voluntary program providing gas vessels with the opportunity to request a Certificate of Compliance (COC) exam while awaiting northbound transit in Balboa, Panama. Please see attached documents and statement below:
“The Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise, at the request of the liquefied gas carrier industry, and with the approval of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), is excited to announce a voluntary program in which the US Coast Guard can conduct Certificate of Compliance (COC) examinations on liquefied gas carriers awaiting northbound transit through the Panama Canal.
The first session of this program will be from March 27th to April 5th, 2023. To make this program successful, we must fill a majority of the daily examination slots. Therefore, the most widely gas carry operators are notified, the better.
At the request from the vessel’s agent, USCG team would conduct the COC examination at the Balboa anchorage. Upon a successful examination, the team would issue the COC and record the examination in our database. This will help reduce delays at the vessel’s US loading port.
Vessels with expired COCs have the highest priority, followed by vessels with COC expiring within the 90 days. Vessels with COC expiring beyond 90 days requesting a COC examination may be accommodated as time allows.
Agents representing vessels requesting a COC exam should complete the attached request and information sheet.
Please do not remit payment until we have confirmed our attendance and instructed by our office to do so.
I look forward to the opportunity to talk with one your agents to answer any question regarding this program and how to maximize the opportunities for vessels you represent to participate.” LCDR Brian Meadowcroft, Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise
(409) 659-0025 (c)
