10,623 Transits of Deep-Draft Vessels in the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal recorded 10,623 transits of deep-draft vessels between October 2025 and July 2026, representing a 6.12% increase compared to the 10,010 transits observed during the same period of fiscal year 2025.

According to the canal administration, this growth is equivalent to 613 additional transits, reflecting higher demand during the first ten months of fiscal year 2026.

Of the total deep-draft vessels that transited the interoceanic waterway during this period, 2,990 correspond to Neopanamax vessels and 7,633 to Panamax vessels.

It is worth noting that, despite the positive numbers, this year the Canal faces challenges imposed by climatic variations associated with the El Niño phenomenon, implementing operational water-saving measures, as well as modifications to the draft of vessels.

In this regard, modifications have been applied to the maximum authorized depth for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks to 48 feet (14.63 meters) starting August 26, and from September 3, to 47.5 feet (14.48 meters).