The Panama Canal has increased the maximum allowable length for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks.
More specifically, since May 21, the maximum length overall (LOA) for commercial and non-commercial vessels acceptable for regular transits of the Neopanamax Locks is 370.33 meters (1,215 feet), up from 367.28 meters (1,205 feet).
This increase means that 96.8% of the world’s fleet of containerships can sail through the Panama Canal, reducing routes.
The extended LOA will also provide shipping lines with greater flexibility in making decisions for the deployment and construction of vessels with greater capacity that can transit through the Panama Canal.
The announcement comes after a series of trial transits to confirm the safety of operations. These include the 2019 transit of Evergreen’s 369-meter-long Triton, which became the largest vessel in dimension and container cargo capacity to transit the Panama Canal since the inauguration of the Neopanamax Locks in June 2016.
Since then, other ships with the same dimensions and container cargo capacity have also transited the waterway, including the Talos and Theseus, among others.
In addition, the Canal announced that it is now offering 15.24 meters (50 feet) draft, the highest level allowed at the waterway. Increased rainfall and successful water management at the Gatun Lake had kept the draft at 14.93 meters (49 feet) since April 2021.
Finally, the Canal is focused in reducing its own carbon footprint, establishing a roadmap to become a carbon neutral entity by the end of the decade, while maintaining its commitment to participate in environmental efforts in the maritime industry worldwide.
