Rain in Canal basin postpones draft changes

Recent rainfall in the Panama Canal basin has allowed the Canal Authority (ACP) to postpone the previously announced draft adjustments in the Neopanamax locks set to begin March 1.

Through a notice sent to shipping companies, the ACP had announced the reduction of half a foot of draft as of March 1, but after the rains, it was postponed until March 16.

Gatun Lake registers a level of 85.6 feet, similar to the one it had on the same date last year, which was a year with a lot of rainfall, and higher than the level of 2019, one of the driest years in recent decades.

Based on the projected level of Gatun Lake for the coming weeks, the maximum authorized draft for the Neopanamax locks will remain at 15.24 meters (50.0 feet) until March 15, 2022, says the ACP.

As of March 16, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be 15.09 meters or 49.5 feet.

 On March 29, 2022, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be 14.94 meters (49.0 feet), that is, one foot less than the depth capacity of the Neopanamax locks.