A-29-2026
Panama Canal: reduced transit slots and postponed draft increases due to low watershed inflows
ActiveReceived 20 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTC
Warning text
Panama Canal Authority Vice Presidency for Operations
Advisory to Shipping No. A-29-2026
August 20, 2026 TO: All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators SUBJECT: Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed
Despite the arrival of the rainy season in the Isthmus of Panama and the water-saving measures implemented by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in recent months to mitigate the adverse effects of the El Niño event, current watershed conditions continue to warrant additional preventive measures to support the long-term sustainability of Canal operations. During the current hydrological year (May through August), cumulative rainfall across the Canal watershed has been 34% below the historical average, while watershed inflows have been 44% below their historical average for the same period, reflecting a substantially reduced hydrologic response despite the onset of the rainy season. Furthermore, forecasts indicate that the anticipated severity of the 2026-2027 El Niño event could further reduce precipitation and runoff during the remainder of the wet season. The combination of these observed deficits and the forecast of a potentially severe 2026-2027 El Niño event raises concerns regarding water availability during the upcoming 2027 dry season (January to April). These conditions require vigilant monitoring and prudent water resource management to always ensure the reliable and sustainable operation of the Canal. Particularly during the 2023-2024 El Niño event, the Canal maintained full open and timely communications with agents, owners and operators on the existing hydrological conditions of the waterway, a practice that we maintain at all times regardless of its criticality, as these hydrological conditions, is an essential aspect of our mutual interest. The measures described below are therefore being implemented to preserve service reliability, safeguard water resources for human consumption, and provide customers with timely and transparent information to support voyage planning and supply chain decisions. Effective August 21, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 4, 2026, the number of daily slots available at the Neopanamax Locks will be adjusted to nine (9). Accordingly, only one (1) slot will be offered during Booking Period 2. Additionally, the number of daily slots available at the Panamax Locks will be adjusted to twenty-five (25). Accordingly, only one (1) slot will be offered to Regular vessels during Booking Period 2. Due to the reduction in available transit slots during Booking Period 2, Conditioned slot in the Neopanamax category will not be available.
3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023
OP, August 20, 2026 Subject: Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed
2
The following table summarizes daily slot availability by vessel category: Effective August 21, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 4, 2026
Moreover, effective September 1, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 15, 2026, the number of daily slots available at the Panamax Locks will be adjusted to twenty-three (23). Accordingly, eight (8) slots will be offered to Super vessels during Booking Period 2. During this condition, no more than nine (9) supers may be booked for transit per direction. The following table summarizes daily slot availability by vessel category:
Effective September 1, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 15, 2026
As per our booking and reservation regulations, in effect since November 24, 2023, and currently in effect, customers must use the booking and reservation options through the Transit Reservation (Booking) system, to reduce the possibility of extended delays, as a confirmed reservation is the only mechanism that guarantees transit date. Additionally, based on the current level of Gatun Lake and the latest weather projections, the ACP will postpone until September 2, 2026, the maximum authorized draft of 14.63 meters (48.0 feet) TFW in the Neopanamax Locks, scheduled to become effective on August 26, 2026. Furthermore, the maximum authorized draft adjustment of 14.48 meters (47.5 feet) TFW, scheduled to become effective on September 3, 2026, will be postponed until October 1, 2026. The ACP will closely monitor weather conditions, watershed inflows, and lake levels. Should additional operational adjustments become necessary, the ACP will timely update customers, addressing draft conditions, capacity levels and any other modification in existing rules and procedures, to assure Special Period LoTSA Period 1 Period 1A Period 2 Period 3 730 - 366 days >90 days 90 - 31 days 30 - 15 days 14 - 8 days Auctions 7 - 2 days Neopanamax 1 3 * 3 1 8 1 9 Supers 3 6 10 19 1 20 Regulars 2 1 1 4 1 5 Total 6 3 7 3 12 31 3 34 Vessel Category Subtotal TOTAL Special Period LoTSA Period 1 Period 1A Period 2 Period 3 730 - 366 days >90 days 90 - 31 days 30 - 15 days 14 - 8 days Auctions 7 - 2 days Neopanamax 1 3 * 3 1 8 1 9 Supers 3 6 8 17 1 18 Regulars 2 1 1 4 1 5 Total 6 3 7 3 10 29 3 32 Vessel Category Subtotal TOTAL
3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023 OP, August 20, 2026 Subject: Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed 3 reliability and provide information to support business decisions. As every event is unique and climate conditions could change more rapidly than anticipated, ACP will continue to strive to announce any future adjustments as far in advance as circumstances allow. For inquiries regarding these measures, please contact: [email protected] ORIGINAL SIGNED Boris Moreno Vásquez Vice President for Operations
Analysis
ActiveThe Panama Canal Authority has implemented slot reductions at Neopanamax and Panamax locks because of reduced rainfall and watershed inflows linked to El Nino. Slot changes are effective from 21 Aug 2026 (for booking dates beginning 4 Sep 2026) and additional slot adjustments from 1 Sep 2026 (for booking dates beginning 15 Sep 2026). The ACP has postponed planned increases to maximum authorized drafts: the 14.63 m Neopanamax draft change is postponed until 2 Sep 2026 and the 14.48 m adjustment is postponed until 1 Oct 2026. Customers must use the Transit Reservation system and expect reduced capacity.
- Type
- Port / channel notice · severity moderate
- Location
- Panama Canal (Gatun Lake / Neopanamax and Panamax Locks)
- Activity periods
- 21 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Slot availability adjustments effective 21 Aug 2026 for booking dates beginning 4 Sep 2026)
- 01 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC - ? (Additional slot availability adjustments effective 1 Sep 2026 for booking dates beginning 15 Sep 2026)
- 20 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTC - 02 Sept 2026, 00:00 UTC (Postponement in effect until 2 Sep 2026 for the 14.63 m Neopanamax maximum authorized draft (postponed from 26 Aug 2026 effective date))
- 20 Aug 2026, 00:00 UTC - 01 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC (Postponement in effect until 1 Oct 2026 for the 14.48 m maximum authorized draft adjustment (was scheduled for 3 Sep 2026))
- Hazards
- reduced transit slot availability, reduced authorized draft (operational draft restrictions / postponed increases), possible future capacity adjustments due to low watershed inflows
Worked out automatically from the warning text on 30 Sept 2026, 17:58 UTC. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.
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