BREAKING NEWS

State Dept says US government vessels can now transit Panama Canal without fees

The US Department of State said on Wednesday that American government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees.

The Panama Canal Authority said in a statement late on Wednesday that it had not made any changes to charges or rights to cross the canal.

"With total responsibility, the Panama Canal Authority, as it has indicated, is willing to establish dialog with relevant US officials regarding the transit of wartime vessels from said country," the authority said.