The Panama Canal Authority announced, through a notice to shipping companies, that effective August 26, 2026, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be reduced to 48 feet (14.63 meters). A further adjustment will take effect on September 3, lowering the maximum draft to 47.5 feet (14.48 meters).

The measure is based on current water levels and projected conditions for the upcoming weeks in Gatun Lake. It is part of the canal’s ongoing water management and operational strategy aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of its operations.

The draft adjustment will not affect the number of daily vessel transits. Instead, it reflects water conservation and resource management measures that have been in place since December 2025 as part of preparations for the 2026 dry season.

These reductions represent the fourth and fifth draft adjustments announced by the Panama Canal Authority. The measures result from operational planning informed by lessons learned during the 2023–2024 period, as well as hydrological analyses and historical data that support the canal’s operational decision-making process.

Canal specialists continue to closely monitor weather conditions and produce technical forecasts that enable a more accurate assessment of the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. This allows the Panama Canal Authority to determine and communicate any additional operational or water management measures that may be required in the coming months.

Source: Panama Canal Authority