Panama Canal Raises Daily Transit Capacity as Water Conditions Improve

The Panama Canal is increasing its daily transit capacity to 34 vessels and restoring the maximum allowable draft at its Neopanamax locks to 50 feet, easing restrictions as improved water conditions provide some relief from concerns over another prolonged El Niño.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced the changes in a November 9 advisory to shipping, citing improving lake levels, favorable hydrological forecasts and the effectiveness of water-saving measures implemented at the locks.

The adjustment adds one daily booking slot for Super vessels at the Panamax locks, increasing availability in that category from 18 to 19. Total daily reservation capacity rises from 33 to 34 slots, including 24 at the Panamax locks and 10 at the larger Neopanamax locks.

The ACP also raised the maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax vessels to 15.24 meters (50 feet), effective immediately and until further notice. The increase follows an October adjustment that raised the allowable draft to 49 feet.

The latest changes mark another shift in the canal’s operating outlook after months of concern over deteriorating water conditions and the potential for a prolonged El Niño event.

As gCaptain reported in September, canal officials had postponed a planned reduction in the Neopanamax draft limit to 47.5 feet after reassessing Gatun Lake levels and rainfall projections. At the time, the canal was maintaining a 48-foot draft limit while warning that below-normal precipitation could persist for months.

The concerns followed the historic 2023–2024 drought, which forced the canal to sharply restrict vessel transits and drafts, disrupting global shipping schedules and sending some cargoes on longer routes. At the worst point of that drought, daily transit capacity fell to just 22 vessels.

The waterway has faced additional pressure this year as disruptions in the Middle East have redirected shipping traffic toward Panama, increasing competition for available transit reservations, particularly among energy carriers.

The additional Panamax booking slot will be introduced in stages. For transit dates November 12–17, it will be available through the canal’s auction system. For November 18–23, it will be offered through the Special Competition booking period. Beginning with November 24 transit dates, the slot will become available through the regular Second Competition Period.

Despite the improved outlook, the ACP continues to emphasize the importance of advance reservations. Its Transit Reservation System remains the only way to guarantee a transit date, and vessels arriving without bookings could face substantial delays.

The authority said it will continue monitoring rainfall, watershed conditions and lake levels, with further operational adjustments possible as conditions change.

The latest increase offers shipping companies greater flexibility heading into the final weeks of 2026, although the canal’s ability to sustain the higher capacity will continue to depend on freshwater availability.

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