WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/MA/W/37
17 September 2002
(02-4821)
Committee on Market Access Original:  Spanish
NEW PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT TOLLS
Communication from Ecuador
The following communication, dated 11 September 2002, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Ecuador.
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As the new Panama Canal transit toll structure will take effect on 1 October 2002 and this
decision by the Panama Canal Authority affects the in ternational trade flows of countries that use the
Canal, Ecuador considers it timely for this matte r to be examined by the WTO Committee on Market
Access. Therefore, Ecuador would request that an item be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of
the Committee so as to provide an opportunity to discuss the topic.
Ecuador believes that the answers to the fo llowing questions could provide a discussion
framework and allow a more informed treatment of the matter in the Committee on Market Access:
1. Could Panama provide information on the recent decision of the Panama Canal Authority to
raise the Canal tolls?
2. What is the rationale for charging new, differentiated tolls depending on the vessel's cargo
tonnage?
3. Why will vessels with smaller cargo tonnages pay a higher toll rate?
4. What services have traditionally been covered by the transit tolls paid?
5. Which are the services that will not be covered by the toll under the new structure?
6. Does Panama consider the rates being collected  under the new structure to be commensurate
with the services provided and consistent with Article V of the GATT 1994?
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