Panama Canal: Further Draft Restrictions Unnecessary

Published Aug 23, 2015 5:31 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has issued an updated advisory to shipping to alert all Canal shipping agents, owners and operators that water conditions at this time do not warrant the need to institute a second draft restriction, which was tentatively scheduled for September 15, 2015.

Due to recent rainfall the Panama Canal watershed has experienced, the Canal has postponed the need for the second restriction which was announced earlier this month.

The first maximum authorized transit draft restriction of 11.89 meters (39.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) will still be effective on September 8, 2015 and continue until further notice. Vessels arriving after this date with drafts over the limit of 11.98 meters may be allowed to transit the waterway depending on the water level of Gatun Lake at the actual time of transit.

Should further draft restrictions be confirmed, notice will be given at least four weeks in advance to allow time for customers’ planning.