A-33-2026

Panama Canal Neopanamax draft increase postponed - 14.63 m TFW remains

ActiveReceived 04 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC

Warning text

Panama Canal Authority Vice Presidency for Operations Advisory to Shipping No. A-33-2026 September 4, 2026 TO : All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators SUBJECT : Postponement of Maximum Authorized Draft Adjustment in the Neopanamax Locks Based on the current Gatun Lake level and the latest weather projections, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces the postponement of the maximum authorized draft of 14.48 m (47.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) for Neopanamax Locks, scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2026, as announced in Advisory to Shipping No. A-29-2026. Therefore, the maximum authorized draft of 14.63 m (48.0 feet) TFW will remain in effect in the Neopanamax Locks until further notice. The ACP will continue to monitor the Gatun Lake levels and will announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner. For any inquiries regarding these rules, please contact: [email protected]. ORIGINAL SIGNED Boris Moreno Vásquez Vice President for Operations 3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023

Analysis

Active

The Panama Canal Authority has postponed the planned change to the maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax locks that was scheduled for 01 October 2026. The currently authorized maximum draft of 14.63 m (48.0 ft) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) will remain in effect until further notice. The decision is based on Gatun Lake levels and weather projections. Inquiries can be sent to the contact email provided.

Type: Port / channel notice · severity moderate
Location: Neopanamax Locks, Panama Canal (Gatun Lake referenced)
Validity: From 04 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC
will remain in effect in the Neopanamax Locks until further notice.
Hazards: maximum authorized draft restriction

Worked out automatically from the warning text on 30 Sept 2026, 17:57 UTC. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.

The whole analysis comes with Lagom

This warning's analysis also has:

Action for mariners
Contacts
Translations

The action for mariners, the keep-clear distance, contacts, ships named, translations and the nearby lights and rescue centres come with Lagom and every higher plan, and with the API plans. The official warning text above is always free.

See the plans

Back to Panama - Panama Canal