The Panama Canal restricts the draft of the Neopanamax due to drought

A drought that threatens Panama’s water resources has forced Panama Canal put into effect a temporary adjustment of the draft level for Neopanamax containers who travel the Interoceanic Highway starting this Wednesday.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) explained that the lack of rain had resulted in low levels in his lake system.

This is the fifth adjustment of the current dry season, whereby transiting vessels will be offered a draft of 47.5 feet instead of the maximum allowed, which is 50 feet.

Neopanamax ships represented 27.76% of ship transit on the Interoceanic Highway during the month of March, 44.7% container ships, 25.4% gas ships, 13% bulk ships, among others.

This is a measure that was implemented in the past when drought required it, which is why these ships are forced to reduce the amount of cargo they carry.

Channel Manager, Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, explained that the lack of rain affected the availability of water resources and that the Canal was forced to make these adjustments.

On March 19, in order for shipping companies to take into account the forecasts of the case, Canal communicated to its clients the measures of future draft reductions depending on the availability of resources.

Since last January 3, Kanal has implemented a number of measures to save water in its operations, in order to ensure adequate supply and provide reliable and competitive draft to users during the dry season.

Consumption

Low levels in raw water intakes also keep several water treatment plants of the National Institute of Water and Sewerage (Idaan) running.

The director of Idaan, Juan Antonio Ducruet, requested the rational use of drinking water due to the severe dry season of 2023.