Increased Rainfall Leads to Adjusted Draft Restrictions for Panama Canal

According to a report from the shipping industry website, on May 30th local time, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that with the onset of the rainy season and increased rainfall, as well as the anticipated rise in Gatun Lake's water level in the coming weeks, the maximum draft allowed for vessels transiting the canal has been increased to 13.72 meters (45 feet) effective immediately.

The Panama Canal Authority stated that this adjustment was originally scheduled to take effect on June 15th. However, due to the expected rainy season in the Panama Canal watershed and the current and projected water levels of Gatun Lake in the coming weeks, the adjustment has been implemented ahead of schedule.

Starting from May 16th, the daily number of vessels passing through the Panamax locks has increased from 17 to 24. Additionally, from June 1st, the daily number of vessels passing through the new Panamax locks will increase from 7 to 8, bringing the total daily number of vessels transiting the canal to 32.

Since May 26th, due to the arrival of the rainy season, the water levels of Gatun Lake and Alhajuela Lake have surpassed those of the same period in 2023 for the first time in 2024.

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