According to CNBC, the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) is advising consumers that its latest conservation efforts to preserve water would entail reducing the number of daily transits, mostly in its Panamax locks, to 32 to 30 transits per day, down from 36 to 34 transits per day.
This reduction in vessel transits will allow the PCA to conserve enough water to postpone the water depth restrictions which would impact how much freight a vessel can carry. Restrictions were expected to start Sunday, June 25, which would equate to an approximate 40% drop in cargo on some containerships.
Even though the limits are no longer in effect, current vessels transiting the canal or en route are 40% lighter in cargo because they were loaded in Asia weeks ago to meet the restriction requirements.
In view of the duration of a vessel’s loading and trip time, PCA officials told CNBC that if they do make a statement on water depth limitations, it will be no later than 21 days before implementation. Water levels are regularly monitored to ensure fluidity and consumer communication.
We keep in constant communications with our customers and cargo owners in order to make sure that they know where we’re standing
… said Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority.
