THE panama Canal has announced that it will increase the number of daily transits to 24 starting in January, according to Advisory to Shipping No A-54-2023, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
Currently, 22 vessels transit daily, divided into six neopanamax and 16 panamax. This restriction is in response to the challenges posed by the current state of Gatun Lake, which is experiencing low water levels due to a drought.
October 2023 marked the driest October on record for the Canal Watershed. In anticipation of a potential worsening of the situation in November and December, the decision was made to adjust the number of daily transits to 22 in December, 20 in January, and 18 in February. This year marks the first time the canal has ever had to restrict transits.
But as rainfall and lake levels for November proved to be less adverse than expected, coupled with the positive outcomes from the canal's water-saving measures, new adjustments will replace the Advisory to Shipping No A-48-2023 of October 30.
Additionally, the Panama Canal will allow one booking slot per customer per date, with some exceptions for quotas offered to vessels competing through the reservation system.
These measures allow the majority of vessels that want to transit the Canal to have a better chance of obtaining a reservation.
SeaNews Turkey
Currently, 22 vessels transit daily, divided into six neopanamax and 16 panamax. This restriction is in response to the challenges posed by the current state of Gatun Lake, which is experiencing low water levels due to a drought.
October 2023 marked the driest October on record for the Canal Watershed. In anticipation of a potential worsening of the situation in November and December, the decision was made to adjust the number of daily transits to 22 in December, 20 in January, and 18 in February. This year marks the first time the canal has ever had to restrict transits.
But as rainfall and lake levels for November proved to be less adverse than expected, coupled with the positive outcomes from the canal's water-saving measures, new adjustments will replace the Advisory to Shipping No A-48-2023 of October 30.
Additionally, the Panama Canal will allow one booking slot per customer per date, with some exceptions for quotas offered to vessels competing through the reservation system.
These measures allow the majority of vessels that want to transit the Canal to have a better chance of obtaining a reservation.
SeaNews Turkey
