Panama Canal to Tighten Draft Limits Again as Water Levels Continue to Fall

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will impose another round of draft restrictions for vessels transiting its Neopanamax locks later this month as water levels in Gatun Lake continue to decline amid a strengthening El Niño.

In a shipping advisory issued Thursday, the ACP said the maximum authorized draft will be reduced to 48.0 feet (14.63 meters) effective August 26, followed by a further reduction to 47.5 feet (14.48 meters) beginning September 3.

The latest changes follow earlier reductions this summer that lowered the maximum draft from 49.5 feet in early July to 49.0 feet on July 24, and then to 48.5 feet effective August 15.

Despite the