Further to the Club’s previously published advice on water levels in the Panama canal, and the late arrival of the rainy season due to the El Nino affect, there has been a further lowering of the water levels in reservoirs that provide water to the Panama Canal. In light of this the Panama Canal Authority (APC) has adopted several water saving measures which included a reduction of transit capacity in July 2023 and more recently additional reductions in transit capacity effective from November 01, 2023.
Members should note that further reductions in the number of booking slots available will take effect on 1st December 2023, and that ongoing reductions in the number of booking slots will continue into 2024, details of which are available in Advisory to Shipping No. A-48-2023.
The latest Panama Canal’s advisory links are given below:
https://pancanal.com/en/maritime-services/advisory-to-shipping/
The driest month of October since 1950 - Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (pancanal.com)
https://pancanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ADV48-2023-Reduction-in-Transits-Due-to-the-Ongoing-Deficit-in-Precipitation-in-the-Canal-Watershed.pdf
Members with vessels due to transit the Panama Canal should continue to monitor the latest Panama Canal Authority “Advisory to Shipping” and contact the Panama Canal Authority for details of future restrictions.
