A-26-2026
Panama Canal: monthly operations summary and Neopanamax draft reductions announced
No longer in forceReceived 10 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTCArchived 30 Sept 2026, 19:53 UTC
Warning text
29/03/2023 Panama Canal Authority Vice Presidency for Operations Advisory To Shipping No. A-26-2026 August 10, 2026 TO : SUBJECT : All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators Monthly Canal Operations Summary – July 2026 1. Panama Canal Statistical Summary: a. Transit Pilot Force …………………………………………………………………………..………………….………294 b. Pilots in Training …………………………………………………………………………….………………….………10 c. Tugs d. Locomotives ……………………………………………………………………………………….……………49 ……………………………………………………………………………..……………………100 2. Traffic Statistics: Daily Average High Low Arrivals 35.4 48 25 Oceangoing Transits 34.03 37 25 Canal Waters Time (hours) 25.38 41.13 17.42 In-Transit Time (hours) 10.87 13.48 9.48 Oceangoing Transits: Total Daily Average Percentage Vessels of less than 91’ beam 175 5.65 16.59 Vessels 91’ beam to under 107’ beam 570 18.39 54.03 Neopanamax Vessels (107’ beam and over) 310 10.00 29.38 Total: 1055 34.03 100 Booking Slots: Available Used Percentage Neopanamax (vessels of 107’ beam and over) 163* 183*1 112.27 Supers (vessels of 91’ beam to under 107’ beam) 506* 463*1 91.50 Regular Vessels (less than 91' beam) 137* 120*1 87.59 Auctioned booking slots 306 247 80.72 * Does not include additional auctioned booking slots ¹ Includes booked transits only 3. The following page provides the scheduled locks maintenance work and other information of interest to the shipping community. 4. This advisory will be canceled for record purposes on August 31, 2026. ORIGINAL SIGNED Boris Moreno Vásquez Vice President for Operations
29/03/2023
OP, August 10, 2026
Subject: Monthly Canal Operations Summary July 2026 REFER TO NOTICE N-3-2023
SCHEDULE OF PANAMAX LOCKS MAINTENANCE OUTAGES
Dates
Duration
Miraflores
Pedro Miguel Gatun Estimated Capacity^ Expected Booking Condition
Status July 14 and 16, 2026 5 hours/day West*
26 1 Completed July 21, 2026 1 day
West** 16 2 Completed July 28 and 29, 2026 7 hours/day East*
26 1 Completed August 4 and 5, 2026 5 hour/day West*
26 1 Completed August 25, 2026 5 hours
West*
26 1 Tentative August 26, 2026 5 hours West*
26 1 Tentative August 27, 2026 8 hours West*
26 1 Tentative September 1, 2026 8 hours West*
26 1 Tentative September 1 to 12, 2026 11 days West***
26 1 Tentative September 12, 2026 8 hours West*
26 1 Tentative September 26 to 27, 2026 2 days East*
Tentative
SCHEDULE OF NEOPANAMAX LOCKS MAINTENANCE OUTAGES Dates Duration Agua Clara Cocolí Estimated Capacity Expected Booking Condition Status August 6, 2026 5 hours
* 10 1 Completed September 21, 2026 5 hours *
10 1 Tentative
^The normal transit capacity of the Panamax locks is 34-36 vessels per day, and in the Neopanamax locks is 9-11 vessels per day, depending on vessel mix, transit restrictions, and other factors. The maximum sustainable capacity of the Panama Canal (Panamax and Neopanamax locks) is approximately 36-38 vessels per day.
* In order to perform scheduled maintenance works ** In order to perform scheduled dry chamber works *** Culvert outage
29/03/2023
OP, August 10, 2026
Subject: Monthly Canal Operations Summary July 2026
Panama Canal Announces New Draft Adjustments for Neopanamax Locks
The Panama Canal Authority has announced, through a notice to shipping, that effective August 26, 2026, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be reduced to 48 feet (14.63 meters). A further adjustment will take effect on September 3, lowering the maximum draft to 47.5 feet (14.48 meters).
The measure is based on current water levels and projected conditions for the upcoming weeks in Gatun Lake. It is part of Canal’s ongoing water management and operational strategy aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of its operations.
The draft adjustment will not affect the number of daily vessel transits. Instead, it reflects water conservation and resource management measures that have been in place since December 2025 as part of preparations for the 2026 dry season.
These reductions represent the fourth and fifth draft adjustments announced by the Panama Canal Authority. The measures are the result of operational planning informed by lessons learned during the 2023–2024 period, as well as hydrological analyses and historical data that support the Canal’s operational decision-making process.
Canal specialists continue to closely monitor weather conditions and produce technical forecasts that enable a more accurate assessment of the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. This allows the Panama Canal Authority to determine and communicate any additional operational or water management measures that may be required in the coming months.
Analysis
No longer in forcePanama Canal Authority advisory summarising July 2026 operations, traffic statistics and scheduled lock maintenance. Announces Neopanamax maximum authorized draft reduced to 48 ft effective 26 August 2026 and further reduced to 47.5 ft effective 3 September 2026. Lists multiple Panamax and Neopanamax lock maintenance outages (some tentative). Advisory to be cancelled for record purposes on 31 August 2026.
- Type
- Port / channel notice · severity moderate
- Location
- Panama Canal - Neopanamax locks and Gatun Lake; Panamax locks (Miraflores, Pedro Miguel, Gatun)
- Validity
- From 10 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTC
Until 31 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTCThis advisory will be canceled for record purposes on August 31, 2026. - Activity periods
- 26 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Neopanamax max draft reduced to 48 feet effective 26 August 2026)
- 03 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Further Neopanamax max draft reduction to 47.5 feet effective 3 September 2026)
- 01 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC - 12 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC (Panamax locks culvert outage (tentative) 1-12 September 2026)
- 21 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Neopanamax locks maintenance outage (tentative) 21 September 2026)
- Hazards
- reduced maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax locks, scheduled lock maintenance outages
Worked out automatically from the warning text on 30 Sept 2026, 17:59 UTC. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.
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