PANAMA FLASH! | Panama City – August 20th, 2026
Despite the arrival of the rainy season in the Isthmus of Panama and the water-saving measures
implemented by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in recent months to mitigate the adverse effects of the El Niño event, current watershed conditions continue to warrant additional preventive measures to support the long-term sustainability of Canal operations.
During the current hydrological year (May through August), cumulative rainfall across the Canal
watershed has been 34% below the historical average, while watershed inflows have been 44% below their historical average for the same period, reflecting a substantially reduced hydrologic response despite the onset of the rainy season. Furthermore, forecasts indicate that the anticipated severity of the 2026-2027 El Niño event could further reduce precipitation and runoff during the remainder of the wet season.
The combination of these observed deficits and the forecast of a potentially severe 2026-2027 El Niño event raises concerns regarding water availability during the upcoming 2027 dry season (January to April). These conditions require vigilant monitoring and prudent water resource management to always ensure the reliable and sustainable operation of the Canal. Particularly during the 2023-2024 El Niño event, the Canal maintained full open and timely communications with agents, owners and operators on the existing hydrological conditions of the waterway, a practice that we maintain at all times regardless of its criticality, as these hydrological conditions, is an essential aspect of our mutual interest.
The measures described below are therefore being implemented to preserve service reliability, safeguard water resources for human consumption, and provide customers with timely and transparent information to support voyage planning and supply chain decisions.
Effective August 21, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 4, 2026, the number of daily slots available at the Neopanamax Locks will be adjusted to nine (9). Accordingly, only one (1) slot will be offered during Booking Period 2. Additionally, the number of daily slots available at the Panamax Locks will be adjusted to twenty-five (25). Accordingly, only one (1) slot will be offered to Regular vessels during Booking Period 2. Due to the reduction in available transit slots during Booking Period 2, Conditioned slot in the Neopanamax category will not be available.
The following table summarizes daily slot availability by vessel category: Effective August 21, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 4, 2026
Moreover, effective September 1, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 15, 2026, the number of daily slots available at the Panamax Locks will be adjusted to twenty-three (23). Accordingly, eight (8) slots will be offered to Super vessels during Booking Period 2. During this condition, no more than nine (9) supers may be booked for transit per direction.
The following table summarizes daily slot availability by vessel category:
Effective September 1, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 15, 2026
As per our booking and reservation regulations, in effect since November 24, 2023, and currently in effect, customers must use the booking and reservation options through the Transit Reservation (Booking) system, to reduce the possibility of extended delays, as a confirmed reservation is the only mechanism that guarantees transit date.
Additionally, based on the current level of Gatun Lake and the latest weather projections, the ACP will postpone until September 2, 2026, the maximum authorized draft of 14.63 meters (48.0 feet) TFW in the Neopanamax Locks, scheduled to become effective on August 26, 2026. Furthermore, the maximum authorized draft adjustment of 14.48 meters (47.5 feet) TFW, scheduled to become effective on September 3, 2026, will be postponed until October 1, 2026.
The ACP will closely monitor weather conditions, watershed inflows, and lake levels. Should additional operational adjustments become necessary, the ACP will timely update customers, addressing draft conditions, capacity levels and any other modification in existing rules and procedures, to assure reliability and provide information to support business decisions. As every event is unique and climate conditions could change more rapidly than anticipated, ACP will continue to strive to announce any future adjustments as far in advance as circumstances allow.
Transit Reservation (Booking) System – Rule modifications
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) continues to experience climatic disruptions due to the current El Niño event, which is causing below-average rainfall and reduced water inflows to its reservoirs. To help ensure reliable Canal operations and preserve the draft available to customers, the ACP is introducing temporary modifications to the Transit Reservation (Booking) System. These changes are intended to allocate slots in the most equitable manner as possible, across market segments and prioritize vessels that make more efficient use of water. The following measures will take effect on the dates indicated below.
Auctions methodology
Given the current climate conditions and to promote a more equitable allocation process, considering market composition, including cargo type, market segment characteristics, and vessel operating models, the ACP will temporarily make selected auction slots available by market segment group. Similarly to what was temporarily implemented on November 29, 2023, this method aims to provide additional opportunities for different market segment vessels.
Effective August 21, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 4, 2026, auction slots designated for Neopanamax, Super and Regular vessels may be made available to vessels within specific market segments, organized into groups, as shown in the following table:
The ACP will announce the day of the week on which the auction slot will be made available to each group. The specific dates on which the groups (one or more) identified above may participate in the auctions will be determined based on the number of vessels awaiting transit within each group and will be communicated through the Projected Booking Slots Availability table, published daily.
Slot allocation
Similarly to what was temporarily implemented on December 15, 2023, this method aims to provide additional opportunities for different customers, only one booking slot will be allowed per customer per day during the competition as shown in the following table:
For additional information, please reach out to our operators at operations@nortonlilly.com.pa.
Norton Lilly International (Panama) S.A.
Bldg. 3825 – Office 301-302
Howard – Panama Pacifico
Panama, Rep. of Panama
Tel: (507) 304-4600
Main email: operations@nortonlilly.com.pa (24 hours)
