Panama Canal · Canal Desk

Panama Canal status today

Caution Open. Booking strongly advised while the watershed water deficit persists.

Checked against official Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP) notices on 23 Oct 2026 · How we check

Current conditions

Maximum draft: Neopanamax LocksChanged

14.94 m (49.0 ft) TFWsince 28 Sep 2026

Raised from 14.63 m (48.0 ft). A planned cut to 14.48 m on 1 October was postponed (A-33-2026) and then superseded.

Source: A-36-2026

Maximum draft: Panamax LocksNormal

12.04 m (39.5 ft) TFW

Standard Panamax limit. Panamax Plus vessels (deeper than 12.04 m) are currently not allowed in the ordinary booking process.

Source: N-07-2026

Daily booking slotsChanged

33 a day: Neopanamax 10 · Supers 18 · Regulares 5since 15 Oct 2026

One Neopanamax slot added (9 → 10) for booking dates from 15 October 2026, until further notice.

Source: A-36-2026

Last-minute reservations, Panamax LocksChanged

Reinstatedsince 21 Oct 2026

Offered when a slot becomes available and at the ACP's discretion, under Notice to Shipping N-07.

Source: A-39-2026 · What this means

Vessels without a bookingCaution

May face extremely extensive delays

The ACP says the booking system remains the only way to guarantee a transit date while the water deficit persists.

Source: A-39-2026

Seasonal speed restriction, Pacific approachCaution

10 knots in the Gulf of Panama TSS (IMO-recommended)until 30 Nov 2026

The ACP's reminder of the IMO recommendation to reduce whale strikes: 10 knots from 1 August to 30 November each year, north of latitude 8° 00′N, in both lanes of the traffic separation scheme.

Source: A-24-2026

Late cancellation surcharge (Tariff 1050.IBC9)Changed

In effect: 250% of the reservation feesince 15 Oct 2026

Applies to cancellations received 4 days or less before the required arrival time (threshold cut from 7 days), and to vessels that fail to arrive within 7 days after that time. Charged on top of tariffs 1050.IBC4, IBC5 and IBC10, until further notice. This replaces the postponement announced in A-32-2026.

Source: A-37-2026

On the watch list

2027 dry season (January–April): the ACP flags water-availability risk from a potentially severe 2026–27 El Niño. Rainfall May–August was 34% below average. A-29-2026
LoTSA 2027 long-term slot packages for transits 3 January – 3 April 2027, including a first Panamax pilot (about 3 slots a day by sealed-bid auction). A-37-2026

Latest alerts

A-39-2026 · 21 Oct 2026 Panama Canal reinstates last-minute reservations at the Panamax Locks Effective 21 October 2026, the ACP is again offering Last-Minute Reservations at the Panamax Locks, and from 3 January 2027 alliance swap and substitution rules extend to Super-category vessels. Vessels without a booking may still face extremely extensive delays.

All Panama alerts

Official sources used

Not navigational or legal advice. CanalAgent summarises official Panama Canal notices in plain English. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority or your appointed agent before fixing a voyage.