Panama - Panama Canal archive
Panama · 2 archived · 14 in force
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Reduced maximum allowable draft in Neopanamax Locks, Panama Canal
No longer in forcePort / channel noticePanama Canal Authority Vice Presidency for Operations Advisory To Shipping No. A-25-2026 August 5, 2026 TO: All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators SUBJECT: Adjustment to the Maximum Allowable Draft in the Neopanamax Locks The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) continues to implement proactive water management measures to safeguard the reliability, safety, and sustainability of Canal operations. While the rainy season has commenced across the Isthmus of Panama, current watershed conditions and the continued effects of El Niño phenomenon require additional actions to ensure the long-term sustainability of transit operations. These measures will preserve service reliability while providing customers with timely and transparent information to support their voyage and supply chain planning. The Panama Canal remains fully committed to supporting global commerce through responsible water stewardship, operational transparency, and dependable service to the maritime industry. Based on the current level of Gatun Lake and recent weather projections, the ACP will implement the following adjustment in the Neopanamax Locks Maximum Authorized Draft: Effective August 26, 2026, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks will be 14.63 meters (48.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). Additionally, effective September 3, 2026, and until further notice, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks will be 14.48 meters (47.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). This additional adjustment supports safe navigation and operational reliability while accounting for current water levels and projected hydrological conditions. The ACP will closely monitor weather conditions, watershed inflows, and lake levels, and will provide customers with timely updates should additional operational adjustments become necessary. The capacity of the Neopanamax and Panamax Locks remains stable, and no reduction in available transit slots is being implemented at this time. To support efficient transit planning and minimize the potential for delays, customers are encouraged to take advantage of the various booking and reservation options available through the Transit Reservation (Booking) System. Furthermore, due to weather conditions changing more rapidly than originally anticipated, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will make every reasonable effort to provide advance notice of any future adjustments as early as possible. However, the timing of such announcements will ultimately depend on the evolving conditions and the availability of updated information. 3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023 3654-A (OP-I) V. 29/03/2023 OP, Subject: Adjustment to the Maximum Allowable Draft in the Neopanamax Locks For any inquiries regarding these rules, please contact our Customer Service office at the following email address: [email protected]. ORIGINAL SIGNED Boris Moreno Vásquez Vice President for OperationsPanama Canal: monthly operations summary and Neopanamax draft reductions announced
No longer in forcePort / channel notice29/03/2023 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.