The Panama Canal Authority announced on Friday, May 3, its sixth reduction in draft for 2019, to a maximum 43 feet for the Neopanamax locks on Gatun Lake, in light of the continuous decrease of the water levels. The reduction will come into effect from May 28. The Canal always informs customers for adjustments at least four weeks in advance, to allow time for proper planning.
Specifically, according to the updated marine advisory:
In addition, vessels arriving after May 2018, 2019, with drafts over the above-mentioned maximum drafts 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 be allowed to transit.
The new update concerning the reduction in draft, follows ACP’s announcement on the early days of May, according to which vessels arriving after 30 April 2019, with drafts over 13.41 meters (44.0 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit, depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit.
From 27 February, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the neo-panamax locks had been 14.63 metres (48.0 feet) TFW , while from 10 April 2019, the Maximum Authorized Draft was 13.72 meters (45.0 feet) TFW.
