Panama Canal Authority lowers draft restriction in Neopanamax locks again

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has lowered the maximum draft limit for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks in the Panama Canal from 48.5 feet to 47.5 feet with effect from tomorrow.

PHOTO: A Hapag-Lloyd container ship transiting the Panama Canal. Hapag-Lloyd

The maximum draft limit will be reduced further to 47 feet from 27 April, 46.5 feet from 5 May and 46 feet from 12 May.

The port authority has taken this decision considering the current water level in Gatun Lake. The water level has come down in the past few weeks due to lower rainfall. Precipitation in the Panama Canal has been about 70% lower than the historical average so far this month.

The water supplied by the rivers that are connected to the Panama Canal was also 80% below the historical average, ACP said.

ACP will continue to monitor Gatun Lake's water level and make adjustments to draft limits accordingly.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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