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NOTE:

The challenge of water for Panama and the Panama Canal remains and serves as a reminder that climate change and its effects are a reality requiring immediate attention and concrete action.

Potential solutions include the identification of alternative sources of water from the 51 watersheds and lakes in Panama, along with projects that can increase storage capacity to ensure water availability for the entire Panamanian population and the Canal’s operation, thereby ensuring its long-term sustainability.

At the same time, the Panama Canal is exploring additional short- and long-term solutions that can optimize the use and storage of water at the Canal for the benefit of both the local population and its own operations.

EXPECTING WAITING TIME:

REGULAR SIZE VESSELS

Non-booked-in canal water stands at about 2-3 days for northbound and 2-3 days for southbound traffic.  

SUPERSIZE VESSELS

Non-booked-in canal water stands at about 2-3 days for northbound and 2-3 days for southbound traffic.

NEOPANAMAX SIZE VESSELS

Non-booked-in canal water stands at about 2-3 days for northbound and 2-3 days for southbound traffic.

PANAMAX SIZE VESSELS

As from July 11th, 2024 the Panamax plus vessel may be allowed to participate in any auction offered during period 3 but will limited to one (1) Panamax plus per transit date.



Note: 0 means no vessels awaiting transit on the queue.

Click to view the Panama Canal Traffic Status and

the Gatun water level indicators.

*You may also copy and paste the link:

www.waterfront-ms.com/panama-canal-waiting-times

IMPORTANT NOTE

The actual waiting time in all canal transit segments can vary daily due to different factors such as the number of vessels arriving per day per side, amount of fully restricted vessels booked and non-booked per side, canal maintenance repairs and, in such cases, weather conditions (dense fog).

BOOKING PERIODS

The following booking slot distribution per booking period of this new booking condition:

PANAMAX SIZE VESSELS

The special period opens 730 to 366 days before the booking date (3 slots will be available)

The first period opens 90 to 15 days before the booking date (6 slots will be available)

The second period opens 14 to 8 days before the booking date (5 slots will be available)

The third period opens 7 to 2 days before the booking date (3 slots will be available only through the auction process)

NEO-PANAMAX SIZE VESSELS

The special period opens 730 to 366 days before the booking date (1 slot will be available)

The first period opens 90 to 31 days before the booking date (2 slots will be available)

Period 1.a opens 30 to 15 days before the booking date (2 slots will be available)

The second period opens 14 to 4 days before the booking date (2 slots will be available)

Please be advised that while the current water deficit persists in the Canal watershed, the transit reservation system is the only mechanism available to guarantee a transit date. Vessels without reservation will wait an indefinite period.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Based on the present and projected level of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces updates to the implementation dates for the maximum authorized drafts as follows:

• The maximum authorized draft of 15.24 m (50.0 feet) TFW will remain in effect in the Neo-Panamax locks, and the maximum authorized draft of 12.04 m (39.5 feet) TFW will remain in effect in the Panamax locks until further notice.

Tropical Fresh Water of Gatun Lake, density 0.9954 gms/cc at 85ºF (29.4ºC). [Transition to fresh water frequently alters the trim of large vessels 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimetres) by the head.]



View the available booking slots [vessels booked daily from today to the upcoming 30 days]

*The number of currently available slots (for each period) corresponds to the following day to her arrival date on the table.

SCHEDULE OF PANAMAX & NEO-PANAMAX LOCKS MAINTENANCE OUTAGES

REFERENCE CHART

*In order to perform scheduled maintenance works

**In order to perform scheduled dry chamber works

***Culvert outage

^^A corresponding reduction in the number of available booking slots should be expected

As indicated in the table above, this capacity is reduced during locks maintenance work. Consequently, vessels may experience delays in transit. When the Panama Canal's capacity is expected to be reduced, the Canal Authority may order a corresponding reduction in the number of available reserved transit slots. Whenever a set of locks requires a major outage of one of its two lanes for dry chamber inspection, mitre gate repairs, tow track work or other major maintenance/improvement projects, the advantage may be taken to perform simultaneous single-lane outages at other locks. Normally, the Panama Canal transit reservation slots are fully utilized during these periods.

CONTACT OUR PANAMA EXPERT

Antonio Tigert

Operations Manager

Panama City, Panama

Office: +507 202 5940

Mobile: +507 67253555

Email: 

Antonio.Tigert@waterfront-ms.com