The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has increased the daily transits and the maximum draft for the expanded neopanamax locks. This brings the canal closer to normal operations after last year’s historic drought.

Draft and Transit Changes

Effective immediately, vessels using the neopanamax locks can now have a maximum draft of 14.94 meters (49.0 feet) in Tropical Fresh Water. The ACP made this decision based on the current and projected water levels of Gatun Lake over the next few weeks. Additionally, as of August 5, the number of daily transits has increased to 35. This is an improvement from 34 on July 22nd and 32-33 earlier that month.

Progress Towards Design Capacity

These changes bring the canal’s capacity nearer to its design specifications. This includes approximately 36 daily transits and a maximum draft of 50 feet for the neopanamax locks. According to ACP data, Gatun Lake’s water level is currently at 85 feet. This is significantly higher than the 79.6 feet recorded last August and above the previous 5-year average of 83.9 feet for this month.

Future Prospects

ACP Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino mentioned in an interview last week that they hope to return to 36 daily transits in September. For over a year and a half, the Panama Canal has been operating below capacity due to severe drought in the Panama Canal watershed. This was worsened by last year’s strong El Niño event. However, the rainy season’s arrival has allowed the ACP to gradually increase the number of daily transits and maximum drafts. These had previously dipped to 24 transits and drafts below 44 feet. The maximum authorized draft was raised to 47 feet in June and 48 feet as of July 11.

Ongoing Monitoring

“The ACP continues to monitor the level of Gatun Lake to announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner,” the agency stated in its update.