The Panama Canal Authority has postponed a planned reduction in the maximum draft for vessels using the Neopanamax Locks, keeping the current limit at 14.63 m (48 feet) after reviewing Gatun Lake levels and weather forecasts.
The authority had initially planned to reduce the maximum draft to 14.48 m (47.5 feet) at the beginning of September before moving the effective date to 1 October. On 4 September, it said the existing 14.63 m limit would remain in place, delaying the proposed 0.5-foot reduction for a second time.
The decision comes as the Panama Canal Authority works to manage an expected severe drought linked to a Super El Niño event in the Pacific.
The World Meteorological Organization said on 3 September that El Niño was firmly established and expected to intensify. It said there was an exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100% that the event would continue through February 2027.
WMO also said exceptionally warm conditions across the tropical Pacific are expected to strengthen El Niño further in the coming months. The event is expected to reach very strong intensity before peaking toward the end of this year, with climate impacts continuing into 2027.
Panama Canal data showed Gatun Lake remaining at around 84 feet after briefly falling below that level at the end of August. The latest forecast indicated a possible increase of up to 0.4 feet into October before water levels are projected to decline again.
Maintaining the current Neopanamax draft is particularly relevant to large containerships and gas carriers. Reports have indicated that some gas carriers have diverted around South America, while two gas carriers paid record-high auction prices to move ahead in the transit queue.
During the 2023-2024 drought, some containerships were required to reduce their loads, with containers transferred across the isthmus by rail.
Waiting times have also shown some easing. The average wait for a northbound non-booked vessel was 8.8 days. As of 3 September, four non-booked vessels were waiting, including three in the Neopanamax category, while 85 vessels with reservations were also waiting.
The Panama Canal Authority has advised vessels to use its reservation system and said it will continue monitoring conditions and provide updates on any future changes affecting vessel draft requirements.
