​The Rainy Season Arrives, and the Panama Canal's Capacity Recovers!

As the rainy season arrives, the Panama Canal Authority is working to restore the canal's ship passage capacity and ensure increased ship draft.

Despite the recovery of navigational capacity, authorities warn that future challenges in securing water sources remain.

Large container ships and LNG vessels are particularly concerned about draft issues. As of the end of May, the Authority had adjusted the maximum authorized draft back to 45 feet.

Yesterday, they announced that effective immediately, the maximum authorized draft will increase from the previous 46 feet to 47 feet and will further increase to 48 feet starting July 11.

A year ago, the draft restriction for the Panama Canal was 44 feet, with measures implemented to maintain draft, reduce the number of daily transit slots, and implement water-saving measures such as tandem locking.

Despite these measures, large container ships still had to transfer containers across the isthmus by train, and LNG carriers had to reroute.

With rising water levels, these measures are no longer needed. When water levels are high, the canal operates at a height of 50 feet.

Starting August 5, the canal will also increase the number of daily transits, restoring the count to 35 ships per day.

The plan calls for a phased increase, from 32 ships to 33 ships on July 11, then to 34 ships on July 22.

The additional slots will be allocated to the larger, new Panamax locks, with the number of daily transits through these locks restored to 10 ships.

The Panama Canal Authority emphasized that eight years have passed since the expanded canal opened on June 26, 2016.

They reported that since then, over 25,000 ships have passed through the new Panamax locks.

They noted that despite the restrictions, 1,799 ships transited the expanded canal between October 2023 and May 2024.

Of these, nearly two-thirds (66.2%) were container ships.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration noted in a new analysis, “Due to the expected La Niña phenomenon this summer, APC forecasts increased rainfall during the rainy season from May to December, which may result in normal operations resuming by this summer or fall.”

While this is good news for operations, authorities also warned that long-term impacts remain concerning.

They stated that despite the upcoming 2024 rainy season, water resource challenges in Panama and the Panama Canal persist.

In their latest update, they wrote, “Potential solutions include sourcing alternative water from Panama’s 51 watersheds and lakes, as well as projects that can increase water storage capacity to ensure water for both Panama’s population and canal operations, thereby securing long-term sustainability.”

“Meanwhile, the Panama Canal is exploring other short-term and long-term solutions to optimize the use and storage of water resources, benefiting local residents and the canal’s operations.”

The Panama Canal Authority highlighted the canal's critical role in commerce.

They reported that 13,000 to 14,000 ships transit the canal annually. This waterway serves over 180 routes, connecting 170 countries and approximately 1,920 ports worldwide.

Disclaimer: This message has been reprinted from other media, and its publication is for the purpose of conveying more information, and does not imply agreement with its views or confirmation of its description. The content of the article is for reference only and does not constitute any suggestions.