Panama Canal Postpones Further Neopanamax Draft Cut as El Niño Drought Watch Continues

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced on Sept. 4 that it will postpone a scheduled reduction of the Neopanamax locks' maximum draft from 48.0 feet (14.63m) to 47.5 feet (14.48m) that had been due to take effect Oct. 1, maintaining the current limit for now. The ACP said the decision followed its latest review of Gatun Lake water levels and weather projections, aiming to give shipping customers operational continuity while preserving freshwater reserves. Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez had previously warned the intensifying El Niño could bring 'a very, very low level of precipitation' lasting roughly eight months. The postponement does not affect the daily transit-slot cuts (Neopanamax to 9/day, Panamax to 25/day, falling further to 23/day on Sept. 15) that took effect Sept. 3.