PANAMA CITY, Panama (RFD News) — Improved water conditions are allowing the Panama Canal to increase vessel capacity, easing some of the operating restrictions that have affected agricultural and other bulk shipments through the waterway.
Beginning October 15, the Canal will increase Neopanamax daily transit slots to 10, bringing total daily capacity across the Neopanamax and Panamax locks to 33 vessels. The Canal also raised the maximum authorized Neopanamax draft to 49 feet, effective immediately.
Canal officials credit close-to-average rainfall across the watershed and water-saving measures implemented at the locks. Higher lake levels allow deeper-loaded vessels and more daily transits, improving flexibility for grain, energy and other commodity shipments.
The improvement does not signal a full recovery. The Canal says a water deficit remains in the watershed, and vessels without reservations can still face indefinite delays because the booking system remains the only way to guarantee a transit date.
Further operating changes will depend on rainfall and Gatun Lake levels as the Canal continues monitoring water conditions.
