The Panama Canal is responding to reduced rainfall in its watershed. The canal authority has reduced the number of available transits in September and announced adjustments to maximum draft restrictions. For vessels without a confirmed slot, this could mean longer waiting times.
Since September 3rd, according to the authority, nine slots are available daily in the Neopanamax locks and 25 in the Panamax locks. Since September 15th, the Panamax figure stands at 23. This brings total capacity to 32 scheduled slots per day. Long-haul container ships typically use the larger Neopanamax locks, where the reduction has been smaller so far.
The permitted draft depth remains a point of concern. A reduction to 14.48 meters has been postponed until October 1st. Lower draft depth effectively means a vessel can carry less cargo. In addition to container ships, bulk carriers and liquefied gas traffic are also affected.
The situation is serious but not yet comparable to the 2023/24 drought. Freightos notes that while the canal authority has postponed a further draft reduction, it continues to prepare for dry conditions. Rainfall, inflows, and the expected El Niño effect remain critical factors. As a result, the canal authority can adjust regulations again in the short term.
For traffic between Asia and the US East Coast, freight forwarders should carefully review routing and surcharges. Depending on the shipping line, alternatives via Suez, the US West Coast with rail connections, or longer waiting times in Panama may be options.