Panama Canal Raises Daily Transits To 34 And Restores 50-Foot Neopanamax Draft As Water Levels Recover

The Panama Canal expanded its transit capacity from 33 to 34 slots per day and increased the maximum allowable draft for ships using the Neopanamax locks to 50 feet.

The Panama Canal Authority has declared the changes in an Advisory to Shipping notice on November 9, 2026. In a statement, the ACP said that the change comes with improved lake levels, favourable hydrological forecasts, and the efficacy of water-saving measures at the locks. The increase in the draft limit has been effective immediately until further notice, according to Port News.

This adjustment added an extra slot for Super-category vessels using the Panamax locks, raising their daily allocation to 19 slots. The Panamax locks currently have 24 booking slots, with five slots for Regular category vessels, while the Neopanamax locks have 10.

The increase followed months of restrictions due to the unusual dry conditions in 2026, as rainfall across the canal watershed was recorded below average from May to August.

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