The Panama Canal’s VUMPA system, streamlining processes for vessels using the waterway, began to show its benefits with the first ships arriving on Sunday.
VUMPA – the Spanish-language acronym for Panama Maritime Single Window System – is an electronic system that requires ships to provide required information in advance of their arrival so that government bodies can carry out risk assessment and be ready for inspection by a single official.
It is a joint project of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and is expected to reduce costs and improve productivity by removing duplication of paperwork for AMP and ACP as well as speeding up the process of reception, stay and departure.
Developed at a cost of $2 million, the VUMPA system is predicted to save 3,200 hours per year.
