Americas News
Panama Canal Eases Restrictions on Ship Transits
The Panama Canal is easing restrictions on ship transits, with changes to vessel draft limits and daily transit capacity.
“Effective immediately and until further notice, the maximum authorized draft, for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be 14.94 m (49.0 feet),” the Panama Canal Authority said in an advisory issued on Monday.
The Authority will also increase the number of daily Neopanamax transits to 10 from October 15, up from the current nine, “for a total of 33 daily slots within Neopanamax and Panamax locks”.
The nine-transit limit was introduced on September 3 as the Canal adopted additional measures in response to reduced precipitation in its watershed.
The latest changes are based on the “present and projected level of Gatun Lake”, the Canal said.
“Taking into consideration the positive effect of the close to average precipitation on the Canal watershed and the effective water saving measures implemented in the Locks,” the Canal said it had decided to raise the maximum authorised draft.
Despite the easing of restrictions, the Canal said, “the water deficit continues in the Canal watershed”.
“The Transit Reservation (Booking) System remains the only way to guarantee a transit date,” it said.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 865.50 | 8.50 | 1289.50 | 14.50 |
| Rotterdam | 686.50 | 12.00 | 1390.00 | 40.00 |
| Houston | 740.50 | 7.50 | 1388.00 | 1.50 |
| Fujairah | 963.50 | 12.50 | 1666.50 | 19.50 |
| Americas Average | 909.50 | 0.50 | 1605.50 | 24.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 876.00 | 6.00 | 1520.50 | 13.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 814.00 | 10.00 | 1433.50 | 18.00 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 935.00 | 3.00 | 1594.00 | 14.00 |
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