The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued a second update within this month, reducing the Maximum Authorized Draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks to 13.56 m (44.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW), starting from 17 April 2020.
The update comes based on present and projected levels of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said.
Vessels arriving after April 17, 2020, with drafts over 13.56 m (44.5 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit, depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit.
Otherwise, they will be required to trim or off-load cargo in order to transit.
This follows a previous announcement in early March, announcing that, from 30 March 2020, the Maximum Authorized Draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks would be 13.87 m (45.5 feet), Tropical Fresh Water (TFW), due to low water levels.
Draft adjustments will continue to be announced with at least four weeks advanced notice. The ACP will continue to monitor the level of Gatun Lake in order to announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.
