Canal trims daily slots to 32; Neopanamax draft stays at 48 feet

The Panama Canal Authority cut daily transit slots to 32 while keeping the Neopanamax draft at 48 feet for now. A planned further draft cut to 47.5 ft was suspended after Gatún Lake conditions improved.

From 15 September: 23 Panamax + 9 Neopanamax = 32 slots/day (down from 34 since 3 September). The planned 1 October draft cut from 48 ft to 47.5 ft was suspended; 48 ft remains. Transit reductions stay in force even with the draft pause. Early September reporting put Gatún Lake around 84 feet, with storage goals into late November and El Niño drought risk flagged for 2027.

Fewer slots can ripple into shipping timelines and retail restocking—the water story residents follow each dry season. Draft did not move to 47.5 ft; confirm current ACP notices for live figures.

Sources

• ACP — additional transit measures
• La Prensa — draft cut suspended

Disclaimer: Draft did NOT move to 47.5 ft. Figures are dated; confirm current ACP notices.