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Panama Canal anticipates 32 ships daily starting June 1st

Posted on June 3, 2024 |

May 7 marked the start of Panama's rainy season, resulting in lake levels gradually rising.

Due to a severe drought caused by El Niño, the Panama Canal limited daily ship traffic to 24 vessels in 2023, an unprecedented measure.

In May, the Panama Canal began increasing the number of daily ship crossings, indicating a return to normal operations and easing restrictions for shippers.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that up to 32 ships will be allowed to transit daily by June, based on current and anticipated levels of Gatún Lake.

Despite improvements, total canal transits are still down 30% compared to the previous year, with 36 to 38 ships typically allowed daily under normal conditions.

The ACP has been easing restrictions, increasing daily reservations from 24 to 27, and after maintenance, the number rose to 31 per day across both Panamax and Neopanamax locks.

Starting June 1, an additional slot will open in the Neopanamax locks, maintaining 32 daily crossings until further notice.

The ACP is also easing draft restrictions for Neopanamax ships, increasing the maximum depth to 45 feet on June 15.

The Panamax draft remains at 39.5 feet, with plans to increase the Neopanamax depth to 46 feet by June 16.

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