The U.S. firm Panamerican Seaways is processing customs and sanitary permits to establish a twelve hour-long sea route that would depart from the port of Colón 2000 in Colón province, and arrive at the city of Cartagena, Colombia.

Unlike the ferry, that stopped working seven years ago and had a limited capacity, now a cruise ship for 600 people will be used.

The product was introduced last week during the Colombian Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (Anato) tourism fair held in Bogotá.

The company will use a ship from the Greek line Louis Cruises to cover the route.

Panamanian and Colombian authorities have yet to approve that passengers and cargo travel by sea, but it is projected that the cruise ship will begin operations in the second half of the year.

The round trip cost per person would be $99.00, with an additional price for those who wish to stay in one of the boat cabins.

It is projected that the ship will depart three times a week from Panama and twice from the port of Cartagena.

Last year 218, 250 tourists from Colombia entered the country.

Ernesto Orillac, deputy administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), indicated that the institution only plans to provide marketing support for the product.

In addition to passengers, the cruise ship will be used to transport containers between the two countries.

It is precisely those permits to carry cargo that have demanded more time, said the official.

Caribbean circuit

The company is also interested in creating a seven day circuit through the Panamanian Caribbean Sea that would include stops in Colón island, in the province of Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala and the Colon 2000 port.

In this case, the ATP is considering an investment to build a cruise ship terminal in the province of Bocas del Toro. The planned investment reaches $2.5 million.

Currently, two cruise ships depart from the home port of Colón every seven days. The season begins in October and runs until April.

The Spanish line planned for 2013.