Panama Canal Adopts Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed

The Panama Canal has announced temporary modifications to its lock transit capacity due to reduced precipitation in its watershed. Starting September 3, 2026, daily slots at the Neopanamax Locks will decrease from 25 to 9, while slots at the Panamax Locks will decrease from 23 to 25. This comes as the canal implements water-saving measures to combat the effects of El Niño despite the arrival of Panama's rainy season.

To promote equitable allocation of slots, the canal will organize Neopanamax, Supers, and Regular vessels' daily auction slots into four groups, prioritizing full container vessels with the highest TEU capacity. Vessels with existing reservations will not be eligible for additional slots unless no other competitors exist. The Panama Canal urges customers to secure reservations through their booking system to avoid potential delays.

Additionally, the maximum authorized draft of 14.63 meters in the Neopanamax Locks will be postponed until September 2, 2026, while a similar adjustment for September 3, 2026, will be delayed until October 1, 2026. The canal will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates as needed.