From 7 to 15 May, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will perform maintenance work at the Gatun Locks.

During this period, daily transits will be reduced from 20 to 17 at the Panamax locks.

However, no significant impact is expected on containerships as this segment is usually handled with priority and according to pre-booked slots.

In addition, the Canal has revealed a series of measures to optimise transit operations in the next few weeks. These include increasing the total number of transits per day to 31 starting 16 May.

Another increase will follow on 1 June, when 32 daily transits will be allowed through the Canal.

The ACP will also introduce draft adjustments as part of the new measures.

Starting 15 June, Neopanamax locks will raise the draft restriction from 13.41 meters (44 feet) to 13.71 meters (45 feet).

Last month, the Panama Canal handled more vessels as weather conditions improved.

According to the Canal's latest statistics, 789 vessels were handled last month, a 6% increase over March.

The data shows that April's total transits reached the highest level since October, just before the ACP implemented severe transit restrictions in response to the drought.