Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Panama Canal Authority has released a timeline and booking slots are now open for the near future due to the anticipation of the coming rainy season!

Happy Wednesday!

Well, the Panama Canal Authority released another announcement which is pretty big, so we thought we should let you know!  We know we spoke about the happenings down there yesterday, but we couldn’t resist letting the shipping industry know the good news! 

Did anyone happen to read gCaptain Daily Newsletter on April 17, 2024, their article titled, “Panama Canal Increases Booking Slots Amid Expected Rainfall”?  The article speaks in regard to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is increasing the number of vessels passing through the canal to 31 starting May 16th and they are scheduling those slots now for both the Panamax locks and the new Neopanamax locks.  With the anticipation of La Niña rainfall coming and maintenance scheduled for May 7 to May 15 which only 24 ships will come through the canal, they have announced the new normal.  ACP has let the shipping industry know June 1st ACP will increase the Neopanamax locks to 32 vessels crossing and mid-June its draft will increase to 45 feet.  La Niña brings the promise of more rainfall, and with their water reduction programs in place things are expected to return to normal slowly, and the ACP will increase the number of vessels crossing the canal and will increase the draft back to 50 feet over time.  Well, as we said this is good news for the shipping industry, and it is you wonderful to hear there is a timeline in place for the coming months.  If you would like to read more of gCaptain’s article, please click the link: Panama Canal Increases Booking Slots Amid Expected Rainfall (gcaptain.com).

We are praying for heavy rains from La Niña to start soon for the region!   

If you would like more information about these changes and to schedule, please click here for the Panama Canal Authorities website: Home - Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (pancanal.com).

If you would like help in looking into how to update your terminal and docks, contact us via email in the blog and check out our ESC's website for contact information!

We hope you have a wonderful evening, and a great rest of your week!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the gCaptain’s article. **