Panama Canal Increases Maximum Draft Ahead of Schedule

The Panama Canal Authority announced Thursday an increase in the maximum authorized draft of the Panama Canal’s Neopanamax locks to 45 feet, bringing it closer to the normal limit of 50 feet. This adjustment, originally scheduled for June 15, comes in anticipation of the rainy season in the Panama Canal watershed and the current and projected levels of Gatun Lake.

The announcement comes days before the Authority is scheduled to add one extra transit in the Neopanamax locks, bringing the total number of daily transits to 32, up from a low of 24.

The Panama Canal is slowly returning to normal operations after over a year of restrictions due to a severe drought.

Water levels of Gatun and Alhajuela Lakes, have now surpassed the levels recorded on the same date in 2023, with the start of the rainy season. Waterway data indicates that as of May 30, Gatun Lake levels stood at 81.142 feet, an increase from 80.384 feet a year ago.

In addition to the draft increase, the number of daily transits in the Panamax locks has risen from 17 to 24 as of May 16, and beginning June 1, daily transits in the Neopanamax locks will see an increase from 7 to 8. The adjustment will bring the total number of vessel transits per day to 32, boosting the Canal’s capacity.

The Panama Canal Authority continues to monitor weather conditions daily to respond to the increased inflows to the watershed and implement necessary operational actions.