PANAMA FLASH! | Panama City – August 5th, 2026
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) continues to implement proactive water management measures to safeguard the reliability, safety, and sustainability of Canal operations.
While the rainy season has commenced across the Isthmus of Panama, current watershed
conditions and the continued effects of El Niño phenomenon require additional actions to ensure the long-term sustainability of transit operations. These measures will preserve service reliability while providing customers with timely and transparent information to support their voyage and supply chain planning.
The Panama Canal remains fully committed to supporting global commerce through responsible
water stewardship, operational transparency, and dependable service to the maritime industry.
Based on the current level of Gatun Lake and recent weather projections, the ACP will implement the following adjustment in the Neopanamax Locks Maximum Authorized Draft:
Effective August 26, 2026, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks will be 14.63 meters (48.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). Additionally, effective September 3, 2026, and until further notice, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks will be 14.48 meters (47.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). This additional adjustment supports safe navigation and operational reliability while accounting for current water levels and projected hydrological conditions.
The ACP will closely monitor weather conditions, watershed inflows, and lake levels, and will
provide customers with timely updates should additional operational adjustments become
necessary. The capacity of the Neopanamax and Panamax Locks remains stable, and no reduction in available transit slots is being implemented at this time. To support efficient transit planning and minimize the potential for delays, customers are encouraged to take advantage of the various booking and reservation options available through the Transit Reservation (Booking) System.
Furthermore, due to weather conditions changing more rapidly than originally anticipated, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will make every reasonable effort to provide advance notice of any future adjustments as early as possible. However, the timing of such announcements will ultimately depend on the evolving conditions and the availability of updated information.
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)
