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Panama Canal suspends last round of draught restrictions

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced the suspension of its previously announced draught restriction of 13.11 m (43.0 feet) maximum Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) for vessels transiting the neo-panamax locks and 11.73 m (38.5 feet) TFW for vessels transiting the panamax locks, which was scheduled to become effective 16 July 2019.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

July 15, 2019

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The maximum authorised draught allowed of 13.41 m (44.0 feet) TFW for vessels transiting the neo-panamax locks and 12.04 m (39.5 feet) TFW for vessels transiting the Panamax locks will remain in effect until further notice, said the ACP.

Dry conditions are likely to continue throughout July and may last even longer, according to the ACP.  The first draught restriction, was set in January and took effect 11 February.

Read more: June water levels in Panama Canal below average for last 65 years

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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