Seatrade-Maritime: Panama Canal reduces draught for neo-Panamax locks

Published by Seatrade-Maritime

The Panama Canal has announced in an Advisory to Shipping that it will reduce draught for vessels transiting in the neo-Panamax locks from 26 August.

The neo-Panamax locks have a current draught of 15.09 metres which has been in place since 1 July and this will drop to 14.63 metres from 26 August 2026 and, from 3 September the maximum authorised draught will be 14.48 metres.

The Panama Canal Authority said the adjustment to the draught will does not involve any changes to the maximum number of daily transits, around 38, and is part of the water resource management and conservation measures implemented since December 2025 as part of preparations for the 2026 dry season.

“The measure is in response to current water levels and forecasts for Gatun Lake over the coming weeks, and forms part of the water management and operational strategy being implemented by the interoceanic waterway to ensure the sustainability of its operations,” said Panama Canal Authority.

However, while the latest draught reductions will not affect transits numbers they will be of concern of to the industry wary of a repeat of previous El Niño event in 2023 and 2024. The maximum number of daily transits dropped to 18 – 22 in early 2024 due to drought restrictions.

This measure represents the fourth and fifth draught adjustments announced by the Panama Canal which the authority said were based on planning informed by lessons learnt during the 2023–2024 period, as well as on the analysis of hydrological data and historical records that underpin operational decision-making.