Panama Canal Raises Daily Transit Slots to 33 After Increased Rainfall

The Panama Canal increased its daily vessel transit slots to 33, up from the 32 it had maintained until then, as a result of increased rainfall and higher water levels available for operations. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced the measure on September 28 and began implementing it on October 15.

The adjustment allowed the Neopanamax locks to recover their usual capacity, going from nine to ten daily slots following the reduction applied on September 3, while the Panamax locks maintain 23 daily slots, three fewer than their usual average of 26. In total, the waterway now operates with 33 daily transits, below the 36 it handles under normal conditions. In addition, as of September 28, the maximum authorized draft for vessels using the Neopanamax locks was raised to 14.94 meters, equivalent to 49 feet, according to the ACP's advisory to shipping lines A-36-2026.

The ACP explained that the decision is based on the current and projected levels of Gatun Lake, one of the main water sources for the Canal's operations along with Alhajuela Lake. Despite the improvement, the authority noted that the watershed's water deficit continues to affect resource availability, so weather conditions continue to be monitored and users are advised to use the booking system to secure transit slots.

Taiwanese carrier Yang Ming Marine Transport, in an outlook reported by the Journal of Commerce on October 19, stated that capacity constraints on Asia-US East Coast routes via the Panama Canal, combined with the peak season in intra-Asia trade, would help sustain container shipping freight rates during the fourth quarter of 2026. The forecast comes amid an easing of the waterway's operating conditions, as the increase in draft and daily slots represents an improvement in the Canal's available capacity compared to previous restrictions.