Panama Canal ups maximum draft limit to 15 m

A new Advisory to Shipping said the change has taken place, and the maximum authorised draft allowed for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks will now be 14.9 m, based on the present and projected level of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks. The draft was last adjusted to 14.6 m on 11 July.

The Panama Canal had to adapt its operations because of the prolonged drought resulting from the climatic variations that affected the levels of the Gatun and Alhajuela Lakes.

The Panama Canal Authority said the rainy season is gradually bringing the reservoirs to optimum levels. As of 5 August, Gatun Lake’s level stood at 25.9 m, while Alhajuela Lake stood at 66.2 m.

The new booking slot for the Neopanamax Locks will increase transits to 35 vessels per day.