Panama Canal Authority raises daily reservations to 34

The Panama Canal Authority raised daily reservation capacity from 33 to 34 slots. It also restored the maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax vessels to 50 feet (15.24 meters), effective immediately and until further notice. The draft limit had been raised to 49 feet in October.

Draft is the vertical depth from the waterline to a vessel’s lowest reference point. A more heavily loaded ship generally sits deeper, so the higher limit allows qualifying vessels to travel through the canal with a greater draft.

In its November 9 advisory, the authority, the Panamanian government agency that operates the canal, cited improving lake levels, favorable water forecasts and effective water-saving measures at the locks, gCaptain said.

How the extra slot will be offered

The new allocation includes 24 daily slots at the Panamax locks and 10 at the larger Neopanamax locks. The extra slot is for Super vessels at the Panamax locks, raising that category’s daily availability from 18 to 19.

The authority says its Transit Reservation System is the only way to guarantee a transit date and warns that vessels arriving without bookings could face substantial delays.

From drought restrictions to a higher limit

The 2023–2024 drought forced sharp restrictions on transits and drafts, disrupting shipping schedules and sending some cargoes on longer routes. At its worst, daily transit capacity fell to 22 vessels.

In September, officials postponed a planned cut in the Neopanamax draft limit to 47.5 feet after reassessing Gatun Lake levels and rainfall projections. The limit remained at 48 feet before the October increase.

The authority says it will continue monitoring rainfall, watershed conditions and lake levels, and could make further operational adjustments as conditions change.