January 1, 2003

MR NOTICE TO SHIPPING No. N-3-2003

To: Steamship Agents, Owners and Operators

Subject: Communication on Transit Activities

1. This Notice is effective on the date of issue and cancels MR Notice to Shipping No. N-3-2002. The
content of this Notice remains the same as in the previous year. A revised Notice will be issued in January
of each year or when otherwise required.

2. Direct communication enabling immediate attention to requirements for ETA message information,
transiting vessels, vessel construction approvals, hazardous cargo information are available at different
offices of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Department of Maritime Operations.

3. For calls originating outside the Republic of Panama, dial the International Access Code, then 507 and
the ACP telephone number.

4. Telephone and Fax numbers and E-mail addresses are as follows:

a. For ETA messages and transit information contact the Traffic Management Unit at:
E-mail: ETA@pancanal.com
Telephone: (507) 272-4200
Fax: (507) 272-3976

b. For dangerous cargo information, contact the Transit Operations Division at:
E-mail: mrtc@pancanal.com
Telephones: (507) 272-4219 & 272-4213
Fax: (507) 272-3015
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MR Notice to Shipping No. N-3-2003

c. For vessel construction/modification approval for transit, contact the Transit Operations
Division at:
E-mail: mrtc-pln@pancanal.com
Telephone : (507) 272-4211
Fax: (507) 272-7688

d. For tonnage information, contact the Admeasurement Unit at:

Telephone : (507) 272-4567
Fax: (507) 272-7901

For Radio Pratique messages via E-mail, contact the Admeasurement Unit at the following
e.
E-mail addresses:
mrtd-rcp@pancanal.com (Balboa)
mrtd-rca@pancanal.com (Cristobal)

f. Direct communication with the office of the Maritime Operations Director may be
established at:
E-mail: MR@pancanal.com
Telephone : (507) 272-4500
Fax: (507) 272-3892

5. All ETA messages sent via Fax or E-mail must comply with the following requirements:

Shall provide information using standard Form 4376. This form is freely distributed upon
a.
request in the Traffic Management Unit and is also available in the Panama Canal website
(http://www.pancanal.com/eng/maritime/forms);
b. Information must be clearly written in printed and readable characters; and
The correctly spelled vessel's name, ship's identification number (SIN), call letters and
c.
customer code shall be included in order to identify the required vessel. Abbreviations are totally
unacceptable.
6. ETA messages from vessels may be faxed as received provided:

a. They are in compliance with regulations; and

b. They are clearly readable. Only high quality originals shall be used to fax the message.
7. Steamship agents, owners and operators are reminded that:

a. ETA messages will only be accepted at the Traffic Management Unit;

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b. ETA messages must comply with requirements set forth in the Regulation on Navigation in
Panama Canal Waters (ACP Navigation Regulations), article 30;
c. Each message shall include ETA information for only one vessel; and
d. Non-compliance may subject a vessel to unnecessary delays.
8. The Transit Operations Division is also accepting electronic drawings submittals by regular mail in
diskettes to the following address:

PANAMA CANAL AUTHORITY (ACP)

Transit Operations Division PCA-MRT
7801 NW 37 Street
Miami, FL 33166-6559
U.S.A.

9. Electronic drawing submittals via E-mail or regular mail must comply with the following requirements:

a. The drawings are to be saved in a format type, which minimizes file size and is readable by
or compatible with AUTOCAD2000. All drawing and letter files comprising the submittal are to be
zipped together into one zip file using the WinZip file compression software. Please note that due to
security measures our e-mail system limits attachment size to less than 1.5MB.
b. After review, the submittals will be stamped electronically, encrypted to protect the
integrity of our approval actions and will be returned via e-mail, zipped. In this manner the recipient has
better control of the number of prints needed for their internal distribution.
10. All Radio Pratique messages sent via e-mail must comply with Chapter II, Radio Communications,
article 30, Maritime Regulations for the Operation of the Panama Canal, with the following requirements:

a. Information must be clearly written in printed and readable characters.

b. The vessels correctly spelled name, ship identification number (SIN) and call letters shall
be included in order to identify the vessel. Abbreviations are unacceptable.
c. Each message shall include information for only one vessel.
d. Messages that do not comply with this regulation will not be processed.

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MR Notice to Shipping No. N-3-2003

11. Finally, in our effort to improve the quality of the service we provide our customers, any complaints
resulting from the services granted by the ACP can be addressed to the Maritime Operations Director
through any of the following means:

E-mail: mr@pancanal.com
Fax: (507) 272-3892
Mail: PANAMA CANAL AUTHORITY (ACP)
Maritime Operations Department
Bldg. 729
Balboa-Ancon, Panama

ORIGINAL SIGNED
Jorge L. Quijano
Maritime Operations Director

FULL DISTRIBUTION