The Government of Panama took action on September 28, 2026, to reduce some transit restrictions in the Panama Canal. This decision was made to manage water levels in the canal and in response to prolonged drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon. Despite the ongoing El Niño, the agency has noted "precipitation near average in the watershed" and the impact of water-saving measures in the locks.
Increase in Number of Transits
Starting October 15, 2026, the number of daily transits in the Neopanamax locks, which are designated for the largest ships, will increase to 10 transits. This comes after one transit slot was removed at the beginning of September. Given the current and projected water levels in Gatun Lake, the canal will manage a total of 33 transits per day. Additionally, the number of daily transits in the old Panamax locks has been reduced from 25 to 23, and this level will be maintained.
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Increase in Allowed Depth for Ships
Moreover, the maximum allowed depth in the Neopanamax locks has been increased by one foot to return to 49 feet. This change is particularly significant for LNG carriers and large container ships. Previously, the depth had been reduced to 48 feet, but further reduction to 47.5 feet, which was planned for September, has been postponed.
The current conditions in the canal indicate a limited delay, as nearly all ships have registered for transit. The Government of Panama has warned that ships entering without registration will face delays, leading to some vessels being diverted to other routes. There are also reports of unprecedented prices being paid at auction for transit slots.
The Government of Panama, in its latest advisory, has warned that "the transit registration system (reservation) is the only way to guarantee a transit date. Ships entering without registration may face indefinite delays." The water level in Gatun Lake has remained stable at around 84 feet at the beginning of the month, and new data indicates that this level increased to 84.7 feet last week. Forecasts suggest that this level will remain stable throughout October and may rise by up to one foot during November.
The Government of Panama has warned about this situation and emphasized that conditions must be monitored closely. These changes reflect a shift in their recent position, as they had warned in previous weeks that there might be a need for further restrictions based on anticipated rainfall.
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