PANAMA FLASH! – Panama City | June 26th, 2024
Increase in the Number of Neopanamax Booking Slots, Transit Draft Increase and the Transit Reservation System.
Based on the present and projected level of Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces an additional booking slot in the Neopanamax Locks during Booking Period 2 for booking dates beginning August 5, 2024. This additional slot will be offered at the opening of the Second Period Competition beginning on July 22, 2024, increasing the total number of booking slots in both the Neopanamax and Panamax Locks to 35 slots.
Furthermore, in the Neopanamax Locks for booking dates beginning on August 5, 2024, the maximum number of slots that may be allocated during all Booking Periods (excluding the conditioned slot and slots sold during Period 3) will be four in either direction.
For booking dates from July 11, 2024, one slot for the Supers category from Booking Period 3 will be transferred to Booking Period 2 and will be offered at the opening of the 2nd Period Competition on June 27, 2024.
Additionally, the recent precipitation in the Canal watershed has enabled the ACP to further increase the maximum allowable draft in the Neopanamax Locks. Therefore, effective immediately, the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks will be 14.33 m (47.0 feet) and, effective July 11, 2024, the maximum authorized draft will be 14.63 m (48.0 feet).
The following tables summarize the slot distribution per Booking Period for the Panamax and Neopanamax Locks:
For additional information, please reach out to our operators at operations@nortonlilly.com.pa
Norton Lilly International (Panama) S.A.
Bldg. 3825 – Office 204
Howard – Panama-Pacifico
Panama, Rep. of Panama
Tel: (507) 304-4600
Main email: operations@nortonlilly.com.pa (24 hours)
