On August 5, local time, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued a notice announcing that starting August 26, the maximum draft limit for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be adjusted to 48 feet (14.63 meters), and further reduced to 47.5 feet (14.48 meters) starting September 3.
The Panama Canal Authority stated, “This measure is in response to current water levels and forecasts for Gatun Lake in the coming weeks, and is part of the water resource management and operational strategy implemented by the interoceanic waterway to ensure the sustainability of its operations.”
The Panama Canal Authority noted that the seasonal draft adjustment of the Panama Canal will not affect the daily transit count (approximately 38 transits). This is part of the water resource management and conservation measures implemented since December 2025, and part of the preparations for the 2026 dry season.
However, although the Panama Canal Authority stated that the further reduction of draft limits will not affect transit numbers, it has still drawn attention from the industry, with concerns that the scenarios of 2023 and 2024 may recur.
In short, the above measures represent the fourth and fifth draft adjustments announced by the Panama Canal Authority. The Panama Canal Authority emphasized that experts continue to closely monitor weather conditions and review forecasts weekly to more accurately assess the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and determine actions that may need to be considered in the coming months.
