More capacity for Panama Canal
The Panama Canal recently announced increases in its draft and daily transits. The maximum draft is now 14.3 m, rising to 14.6 m on 11 July, and daily transits will increase to 35 ships from 5 August. These changes are driven by current and projected water levels of Gatun Lake and the arrival of the rainy season and build on earlier improvements.
Despite challenges from drought and climate variability, the canal remains focused on operational efficiency and sustainability, supported by its workforce of over 8,000 employees. It now accommodates larger ships like “CMA CGM Zephyr” and “Ever Max”.
Future plans include optimising water use and storage to maintain operations and support the local population. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to adapt to changing climate conditions. (pb)