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Panama Canal to cut daily ship transits in September
Panama
Monday 24 August 2026
VU
Lower rainfall in the Canal watershed is forcing new operating limits, while some planned draft restrictions have been postponed.
The Panama Canal will reduce the number of daily transit slots in September as rainfall remains below expectations, according to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).
From September 3, 2026, the Neopanamax locks will offer nine daily slots, while the Panamax locks will have 25. This will bring the total number of available daily transits to 34.
A second reduction will follow on September 15, when Panamax availability falls to 23 slots. Together with the nine Neopanamax slots, the Canal will then handle 32 daily transits.
The ACP said the measures are needed because rainfall in the Canal watershed has been lower than expected despite the start of Panama’s rainy season. Water-saving measures are also being used to limit the effects of El Niño.
Changes are also being made to daily auction slots. From September 3, vessels will be divided into four groups, with container ships, vehicle carriers and refrigerated vessels placed in the same category.
The Canal warned that ships arriving without confirmed reservations could face longer waiting times and advised customers to use its booking system to secure transit dates.
At the same time, two planned reductions in the maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax vessels have been delayed. The 48-foot (14.63-meter) limit will now take effect on September 2 instead of August 26, while the move to 47.5 feet (14.48 meters) has been postponed from September 3 to October 1.
source and photo: frutasdechile.cl
