Update: 26.06.2023

New instructions were issued by the Panama Canal Authority to postpone the maximum authorised draft for vessels transiting the canal.

An advisory published on 22 June said that the new draft restrictions, originally scheduled for 25 June and 9 July, have now been suspended "due to favourable weather conditions experienced during the past several days in the Canal watershed."

As a result, "the maximum authorized draft of 13.41 m (44.0 feet) TFW will remain in effect in the Neopanamax locks, and the maximum authorized draft of 12.04 m (39.5 feet) TFW will remain in effect in the panamax locks until further notice," added the advisory.

In addition to the issue concerning draft levels, Panama Canal announced that the sidewall culvert on the East Lane of Gatun Locks will be out of service for scheduled maintenance for eight days from 27 June to 5 July. As a result, the lockages will take some additional time.

However, the authority assured that no decrease in capacity is expected. Similarly, "the Just-In-Time (JIT) transit slots available for supers and regular vessels transiting without restrictions, will remain in one per direction, and the slots for Neopanamax vessels will remain unchanged during this period," according to the canal's advisory.

Update: 20.06.2023

As of yesterday, 19 June, the maximum authorised draft of vessels entering Panama Canal's neopanamax locks is 13.41 meters (44.0 feet).

On 14 June, the Panama Canal Authority introduced corrections to the allowed drafts and announced a new list of levels to be applied in sequence starting today. The next draft restriction is expected on 25 June, reducing the maximum draft to 13.26 meters (43.5 feet).

Below is the list provided by the authority's latest advisory:

Extreme drought conditions could lead to further restricting measures. According to a report by Seatrade Maritime News, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez warned that if the drought continues, an "extreme measure" could come into place, restricting the daily transits on the waterway from the current 36 to 28 vessels.

In the meantime, the authority highlighted that it would continue to monitor the level of Gatun Lake and announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.

Update: 02.06.2023

According to a new advisory by the Panama Canal Authority, recent rainfall in the canal watershed in the past few days has allowed postponing the draft restrictions - originally planned for 30 May - until 13 June. This means the maximum authorized draft of 13.56 m (44.5 feet) in the Neopanamax Locks will remain in effect until 12 June.

However, starting 13 June, the draft levels allowed will be reduced to a maximum of 13.41 m (44.0 feet), with a further reduction to 13.26 m (43.5 feet) planned on 25 June.

Update: 22.05.2023

This week, new restrictions will be imposed controlling the draft of ships crossing the Panama Canal. According to Panama Canal Authority (PCA) spokesman Octavio Colindres, neo-panamax vessels will be allowed drafts of up to 13.56 meters, Bloomberg reported. An additional restriction will follow on 30 May, where the draft will be dropped further to 13.41 meters.

The new measures come as the country witnesses severe drought affecting the water levels in the canal. Earlier in April, the PCA had announced lowering the vessels’ draft from 15.24 meters to 14.48 meters.

Experts believe this seemingly minor change “could translate to 40% less cargo on some containerships,” says Bloomberg. To comply with the new draft limits, large vessels will have to reduce the cargo they carry, which could lead to higher shipping costs.

Original article: 26.04.2023

Panama Canal published an advisory, on 18 April, informing customers that the draft allowed to neo-panamax vessels transiting the canal will be reduced to 47.5 feet instead of the maximum allowed, which is 50 feet. This temporary adjustment came into effect on 19 April and was introduced due to the low water levels in the canal’s lakes.

“This is the fifth adjustment of the current dry season,” mentioned the advisory, adding, “It is a measure that has been implemented in the past when required by drought, which forces these ships to reduce the volume of cargo they carry.”

Despite the water-saving measures taken by the canal since January, the lack of rain affected water levels prompting new procedures. According to Kuehne+Nagel sources, the new adjustment poses “no risk for international trade.” The rainy season in Panama is expected to start in May this year, which would remove the necessity for the reduced draft allowance.

The rain “will return the normal draft for the lake (common berthing zone), and ships will be allowed at their regular draft again,” said Alberto Scarrone, Kuehne+Nagel’s National Sea Logistics Manager based in Panama.

Panama Canal stated that it communicated the new adjustment to shipping companies so they could reduce the cargo on board before crossing the canal.