Panama Canal issues an update to the maximum authorized draft in the Neopanamax and Panamax locks

The Panama Canal Authority has issued an advisory updating the maximum authorized draft in the Neopanamax and Panamax locks.

The advisory was issued on June 13, 2023.

The Panama Canal Authority has announced that the maximum authorized draft in the Neopanamax locks has been postponed until June 19, 2023.

As a result, the current authorized draft of 13.56 m (44.5 feet) TFW will remain in effect until June 18, 2023.

However, on June 25, 2023, there will be a new maximum authorized draft of 13.26 m (43.5 feet) TFW in the Neopanamax locks.

The authorized drafts allowed for the upcoming weeks are as follows:

  • July 09, 2023: 11.89 m (39.0 feet) Panamax locks only
  • July 19, 2023: 13.26 m (43.0 feet) / 11.73 m (38.5 feet) Panamax locks only

The Panama Canal Authority will actively monitor the water level of Gatun Lake and promptly communicate any necessary adjustments to the authorized drafts in the future.


For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):


Update to the Maximum Authorized Draft in the Neopanamax and Panamax Locks


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