PANAMA CANAL AUTHORITY (ACP) Executive Vice Presidency for Operations Bldg. 729, Balboa-Ancon Panama, Panama www.pancanal.com 1 OP NOTICE TO SHIPPING N-11-2026 Operation of Commercial and Non-Commercial Small Craft in Panama Canal Waters PANAMA CANAL AUTHORITY (ACP) Vice Presidency for Operations Building 729, Balboa-Ancon Panama, Panama www.pancanal.com January 1, 2026 OP NOTICE TO SHIPPING N-11-2026 To: Shipping Agents, Owners and Operators Subject: Operation of Commercial and Non-Commercial Small Craft in Panama Canal Waters 1. Effective Date and Cancellation a. This Notice is effective on the date of issue and cancels OP Notice to Shipping N-11-2025. A revised Notice will be issued in January of each year or when otherwise required. 2. Purpose and Scope a. The Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters establishes the legal framework that regulates the navigation of small craft that do not transit and empowers the Panama Canal Authority, through the Vice Presidency for Operations, to issue the requirements to enforce this regulation. b. This same Regulation on Navigation establishes the rules to apply to all small craft that are not transiting. c. Through this Notice to Shipping, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) establishes the requirements and rules that must be followed to operate small craft of up to 20 meters (65 feet) in length for commercial or non-commercial activities in Panama Canal waters. These requirements and rules help to improve the navigation in Canal waters, reduce the risk of accidents, and contribute to the safe navigation of other vessels transiting the Canal. The areas to be dedicated to these commercial and non-commercial activities are described in this document. Operation of Commercial and Non-commercial OP Notice to Shipping N-11-2026 Small Craft in Panama Canal Waters 2 3. Reminder on applicable rules and regulations in Canal Waters a. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reminds all operators and owners of small craft, marinas and yacht clubs of the rules and regulations applicable to small craft every time they enter and navigate within Panama Canal waters. It has been reported that some of these small craft are either not equipped with VHF radios or are failing to monitor Channel 12 and 16, as required, and possibly disregarding instructions given by Panama Canal Port Entry Coordinators at the Flamenco and Cristobal Signal Stations. The Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters identifies as an offense the “Failure to comply with the regulations, orders, or instructions issued by the Authority in relation to maritime operations in Canal areas.” The same regulation identifies as an offense, the “Failure to comply with Authority rules or instructions on the transit of and provisions on small crafts, including vessels for recreational or other purposes, and on the use of any devices, equipment, or gear which may imply a risk to navigation in Canal waters.” Be advised that these offenses are subject to possible sanctions. This abovecited regulation states that: “When the administrative offense may be considered a criminal offense, the case shall be referred to the competent authorities,” and states: “The following sanctions shall be imposed for offenses, according to their seriousness: (1) Non-serious offenses: fines of one hundred Balboas to ten thousand Balboas (B/.100.00 to B/.10,000.00). (2) Serious offenses: fines of ten thousand and one Balboas to one hundred thousand Balboas (B/.10,000.00 to B/