AMERICAN FREIGHTER DODGES TOLL FEES

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5300, 13 January 1947, Page 7

AMERICAN FREIGHTER DODGES TOLL FEES

BALBOA Seldom enough to be newsworthy, one of the tho-usands of ships using the Panama Canal gets a bargain transit by what may appear to he a stratagem but actually is legal. The motorship Paciic Express recently saved at least an estimated 500 dollars on a transit and thus won momentary attention. Gommiercial shjips u^ing the Canal are charged 90 cents per net P.C. ton when carrying passengers or carg-o and only '72 cents per net P.C. ton when in ballast. "P.C." ton means Panama Canal tonnage as computed hy measurers here according to rules. As each ship transits for the first time, it is measiured and a Canal tonnage certificate is issued which remains valid, unless physical changes are niade lin the ship. The PacMc Express was runningwithout cargo from Europe to British Oolum-bia on her maiden trip through the Canal. Built primarily for refrigerated fruit transportation hetween Westem Canada and Caliiornia and Great Britain, she reportedly has de luxe accommodation for 12 passengers. Despite the ahsence of any cargo, the Pacific Express was due to pay full tolls because of passengers. The skipper had a 'better idea. Coming into the bay at the AtlantJic end of the PanamaN Canal the Pacific Express discharged her passengers ashore. Then without any pay load, she made her transit at the minimum rate. At the Pacific side j she re-emhaiked her passengers, who, j in the meatntime, had cross'ed the ( 50 miles of Isthmus by train. With little inconvenience to the passengers who got a free trip ashore .axndt a xide across the Isthmus, it is estimated this ship saved over 500 dollars in tolls.