The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced temporary measures in response to climatic disruptions associated with the current El Niño event, which is causing below-average rainfall and reduced water inflows to the Canal’s reservoirs.
To help ensure reliable Canal operations and preserve the draft available to customers, the ACP is introducing temporary modifications to the transit reservation (booking) system.
Advisory to Shipping No. A-28-2026 – Transit Reservation (Booking) System: Rule Modifications
- Effective August 21, 2026, auction slots will be divided into four specific market groups. LPG and LNG vessels will fall under Group 1. Auction days will be determined based on the number of vessels waiting for transit.
- The ACP will allow only one booking slot per customer per day.
- The Last-Minute service is suspended until further notice. Any vessel that forfeits its booking must secure a completely new slot. Flexibility services, including substitutions and date changes, will also be reduced.
- Effective September 1, 2026, a new late cancellation surcharge will apply when a booking is cancelled seven days or less before arrival and the vessel does not arrive within seven days of the original booking date.
- Effective September 4, 2026, the in-transit time for all booked vessels will be set at 48 hours.
Advisory to Shipping No. A-29-2026 – Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed
- Effective August 21, 2026, for booking dates beginning September 4, the number of daily slots available at the Neopanamax Locks will be adjusted to nine (9).
- Due to this reduction, only one Neopanamax slot will be offered during Booking Period 2. In addition, the Conditioned slot in the Neopanamax category will not be available.
- The nine daily Neopanamax slots will be distributed as follows: 1 for the Special Period, 3 for LOTSA, 3 for Period 1/1A, 1 for Period 2, and 1 for Auctions.
- The maximum authorised draft of 14.63 metres (48.0 feet) TFW, scheduled for August 26, has been postponed until September 2, 2026. The further draft adjustment to 14.48 metres (47.5 feet) TFW, scheduled for September 3, has been postponed until October 1, 2026.
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.