Panama Canal Authority boosts daily transit slots amid drought recovery

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has increased its daily transit slots by three because of recent rainfall.

PHOTO: Port of Balboa at Panama's Pacific Ocean side. Getty Images

This brings the total daily maximum transits to 27 in the Panamax Locks, which is still 10 short of the typical 36-37 daily transits. But the recent action is a positive sign amidst the record drought since last June.

To accommodate the additional traffic, two extra slots will be offered through auction for transit dates starting 18 March. Also, an extra slot will be available for dates beginning 25 March.

Despite the increase in slots, the ACP has reduced the maximum draft at its larger locks by nearly two meters, highlighting ongoing efforts to manage water levels.

Currently, there are 49 ships waiting to transit the canal, marking a significant decrease from the peak of about 130 last August.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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