Drinking water or warships? Panama Canal reverses ship restrictions

The Panama Canal Authority has postponed a planned reduction in the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the neopanamax locks, keeping the current 14. 63-meter (48-foot) limit in place. A previously announced reduction to 47.

5 feet, which was scheduled to take effect on October 1, has been delayed following the waterway’s latest review of Gatun Lake levels and weather projections. Gatun supplies drinking and other water for civilian services, in addition to canal operations.

Initial concerns around drought conditions and severe effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon had led to the draft restrictions. Shallower draft meant that the largest container vessels faced the prospect of transiting the canal at less than full tonnage, a factor that could have hampered vessel rotations, port operations, and network fluidity.

It’s also possible that reduced post-peak season ship traffic on the trans-Pacific would help to ease the water supply situation. The decision means customers can continue operating under the existing draft limit without immediate changes to voyage planning or vessel deployment. The waterway is also a critical route for U. S. warships.

The biggest include the neopanamax Wasp-class amphibious vessels, and America-class “big deck” amphibious naval ships. Canal officials said will continue evaluating water conditions and will provide advance notice of any future changes that may affect vessel draft requirements. Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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