The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced an increase in booking capacity at the Neopanamax Locks, alongside a revised maximum authorised draft for transiting vessels.
For booking dates from 15 October 2026, daily Neopanamax booking capacity will increase from 9 to 10 slots. The additional slot will be made available through Booking Period 2, with the second-period competition opening on 1 October 2026.
The change raises total daily transit capacity across the Neopanamax and Panamax Locks to 33 slots. This includes 10 Neopanamax slots, 18 Supers slots and five Regulars slots, with one daily auction slot continuing to be available in each category.
The ACP has also confirmed that the maximum authorised draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks is now 14.94 metres (49.0 feet), effective immediately and until further notice. The adjustment follows improved precipitation levels in the Canal watershed, water-saving measures at the locks and favourable projections for Gatun Lake.
From 29 September 2026, customers booking Neopanamax transits for dates from 15 October will no longer be subject to a limit on the number of slots awarded per date or per week. Consecutive-date bookings will also be permitted.
The revised allocation framework includes minimum availability for key vessel segments, including full-container, LPG, LNG, vehicle carrier/RoRo, bulk carrier and other vessel types. The ACP has confirmed that unused segment allocations may be reassigned to other vessel categories, supporting flexibility where demand differs from the planned distribution.
Despite the improvement in capacity, the ACP advises that the Canal watershed continues to experience a water deficit. The Transit Reservation System remains the only way to guarantee a transit date, and vessels without reservations may experience indefinite delays.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or +507 279 4110 / +507 6673 8417.