PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – Grain and other agricultural shippers will have more capacity through the Panama Canal after officials increased daily transit availability and raised the maximum allowable draft for Neopanamax vessels.
The canal increased total daily transit capacity to 34 slots, including 24 through the Panamax locks and 10 through the Neopanamax locks. The change adds one daily booking slot for Super vessels at the Panamax locks.
Officials also raised the maximum Neopanamax draft to 50 feet, effective November 9. The canal says improved lake levels and favorable hydrological forecasts allow the additional capacity while maintaining water-management goals.
The changes could improve scheduling flexibility for bulk agricultural exporters and reduce some transportation uncertainty for vessels moving between U.S. Gulf ports and Asian markets. Ships without reservations may still face longer waits.
Additional booking availability will be phased into the canal’s reservation system through November 24 as officials continue monitoring lake levels and watershed conditions.
Farm-Level Takeaway: More Panama Canal capacity and deeper draft limits could improve reliability for agricultural exports moving between U.S. ports and global buyers.