Draft limits imposed as drought takes its toll on Panama Canal

An intense drought has forced the Panama Canal Authority to impose draft limits on ships moving through its locks that means larger ships must pass through with less cargo, The Associated Press has reported.

The maximum freshwater draft of 13.41 m for Neopanamax vessels was reduced by a foot at the end of April 2019 – maximum draft for ships of that size is about 15.2 m when water levels are optimal.

This is the fourth time that the draft has been reduced in the current dry season from January through to April although the limits only affect the Cocoli and Agua Clara locks.