Panama Canal seasonal draft adjustment

Good news regarding the Panama Canal seasonal draft adjustment.  As of 1st March 2022, the maximum authorised Panama Canal Draft for vessels transiting NeoPanamax Locks will be 15.09m (49.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).

Although it is not written in the advisory, it is understood that the maximum authorised draft for Panamax Locks will remain at 12.04m (39.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) until further notice.

Click here for the official Advisory from the Panama Canal Authority >>> Advisory to Shipping No. A-02-2022

WAITING TIMES – 1ST FEB 2022

• Neopanamax including LNG vessels in Northbound direction: 10 days
• Neopanamax including LNG vessels in Southbound direction: 6 days
• Panamax plus in Northbound direction: 10 days
• Panamax plus in Southbound direction: 15 days
• Supers in Northbound direction: 7 days
• Supers in Southbound direction: 12 days
• Regulars in Northbound direction: 1 day
• Regulars in Southbound direction: 4 days

And now for the earliest slots available in the 2nd period:

FOR SUPER VESSELS:

*Northbound:*

• Feb 22nd: 5 slots available in second period, period closes on Feb 19th 0859hrsLT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.

*Southbound:*

• Feb 22nd: 5 slots available in second period, period closes on Feb 19th 0859hrsLT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.

FOR REGULAR VESSELS:

*Northbound:*

• Feb 11th: 3 slots available in second period, period closes on Feb 8th 0859hrsLT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.

*Southbound:*

• Feb 11th: 3 slots available in second period, period closes on Feb 8th 0859hrsLT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.

FOR NEOPANAMAX VESSELS:

*Northbound:*

• Feb 8th: 1 slot available in second period that closes on Feb 5th at 0859hrs, but slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.
• Feb 14th: 1 slot conditioned available in second period that closes on Feb 11th 0859hrs LT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.
• Feb 15th: 4 slots (1 of these is conditioned*) available in second period that opens on Feb 1st 0900hrs LT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.

*Southbound:*

• Feb 8th: 1 slot available in second period that closes on Feb 5th at 0859hrs, but slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment / NOT AVAILABLE FOR LNG
• Feb 8th: 1 retained slot available offered through auction that will close today Feb 1st at 1100hrs, initial bid $93,500.00 / NOT AVAILABLE FOR LNG
• Feb 14th: 1 slot conditioned available in second period that closes on Feb 11th 0859hrs LT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.
• Feb 15th: 2 slots (1 of these is conditioned*) available in second period that opens on Feb 1st 0900hrs LT (UTC-5); however, slots can be taken by any applicant at any moment.

(*) Conditioned slot: One of the slots offered during the 2nd booking period (regardless of the direction), will only be assigned to vessels that meet one of the following criteria:

• Full container vessels with a length overall (LOA) of less than 335.28 meters (1,100 feet), beam less than 43.28 meters (142 feet), and deep draft less than 13.72 meters (45 feet), Tropical Fresh Water (TFW); or
• Vessels with precaution designator of PD-1 or PD-2 (excluding full container vessels) with a beam of 36.58 meters (120 feet) or less, or with a length overall (LOA) of 259.08 meters (850 feet) or less; or
• Other vessel types with a length overall (LOA) of less than 304.8 meters (1,000 feet), beam of less than 41.15 meters (135 feet), and deep draft of less than 13.72 meters (45 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).

DRAFT RESTRICTIONS

PANAMAX:

Max Draft: 12.04 meters (39.5 feet = 39 feet 6 inches) in the deepest point of immersion in Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) permitted for particular vessel in Gatun Lake. Water Density of Gatun Lake is 0.9954 at 29.4ºC (85ºF).

NEOPANAMAX:

15.24m (50.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) since June 09^th 2021

*Remarks:

– Regular: Vessel with beam<91 feet

– Super: Vessel with 91 feet<=beam<=107 feet

– Neopanamax: Vessel with beam>107 feet

– Panamax Plus: Vessel with 91 feet<=beam<=107 feet, but draft>39.5 Feet (12.04m) TFW

Available slots and waiting times are changing constantly. Contact MasOceans SA for the most up-to-date information.

YOUR VESSELS, OUR PORTS

Do you have questions about how the Panama Canal lane outages? Or do you have vessels in Panama and need someone to solve shipping problems before they have even happened? Contact MasOceans SA and together with our local partners in Panama, Capas E.E.V., your port calls will run smoothly.

Capas is our partner in Panama for your port calls in: Bahía Las Minas (Terminal Granalera & Chevron), Colón 2000, Colón Container Terminal, Oil Tanking, Manzanillo International Terminal, Melones Oil Terminal, P.P.C. Balboa & Drydock MEC, Patsa & Potsa, PPC Christóbal & Telfer Tanks, PSA, PTP Charzo Azul, PTP Chiriquí Grande, Taboguilla.

Book a port with Martaxelle Erussard | martaxelle@masoceans.com | +41 (0) 22 552 00 51