Panama Canal | Draft and Daily Capacity Increase

30 September, 2026 – Conditions at the Panama Canal are changing.

Precipitation close to average levels, together with effective water-saving measures, is allowing for a positive shift in operations.

The Panama Canal Authority has announced two changes for upcoming transits.

What changes, and when?

• Effective immediately and until further notice: maximum authorised draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks increases from 48 ft to 49 ft / 14.94 m.
• From 15 October: Neopanamax capacity increases to 10 vessels per day, bringing total Canal capacity to 33 daily passages.

The water deficit continues, and confirmed booking remains essential to guarantee a date.

Planning a call in Panama

MasOceans works with our local partner CAPAS EEV, CORP. – Shipping Agency, supporting vessel calls and transit planning across:

Bahía Las Minas (Terminal Granelera & Chevron), Colón 2000, Colón Container Terminal, Oil Tanking, Manzanillo International Terminal, Melones Oil Terminal, PPC Balboa & Drydock MEC, PATSA & POTSA, PPC Cristóbal & Telfer Tanks, PSA, PTP Charco Azul, PTP Chiriquí Grande and Taboguilla.

YOUR VESSELS, OUR PORTS 

Panama transit ahead? Plan it with us early. Book a port call with Martaxelle Erussard:

 martaxelle@masoceans.com
 +41 (0) 79 658 1504 / +41 (0) 22 552 0051

Source: Panama Canal Authority