Panama Canal Authority
Vice Presidency for Operations

Advisory To Shipping No. A-48-2023
3654-A (OP-I)
V. 29/03/2023

October 30, 2023
TO:

All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators

SUBJECT:

Reduction in Transits Due to the Ongoing Deficit in Precipitation in the Canal Watershed

Since the beginning of the 2023 dry season, the Panama Canal adopted several water saving andconservation measures in the transit operation, including the use of water saving basins in theNeopanamax Locks and cross-filling in the Panamax Locks. In addition, the late arrival of this year’s rainyseason, and lack of precipitation in the Canal watershed has obliged the Canal to reduce the transit
capacity to approximately 32 vessels per day since July 30, 2023, while managing the available rainfall
over the watershed to maintain Gatun Lake at a level that would offer a competitive draft for our clients.
On September 29, 2023, the Canal announced an additional reduction in capacity, effective November 1,2023.
Despite all measures taken, the level of Gatun Lake has continued to decline to unprecedented levels forthis time of year. The recorded precipitation for October has been the lowest on record since 1950 (41%below), and so far, 2023 ranks as the second driest year for the same period. Based on the rainfall
projections for the following weeks, which as of today is expected to be 38% less for the rest of the year,
the ACP finds it necessary to further reduce the daily transit capacity to postpone the need for additional
draft reductions below the current 13.41m (44 feet) TFW.
Therefore, from November 3, 2023, to November 6, 2023, the number of booking slots will be reduced to25, and from November 7 to November 30, 2023, the number of booking slots will be reduced to 24.
In addition, from December 1 to December 31, 2023, the number of booking slots will further be reduced
to 22, and from January 1, 2024, to January 31, 2024, the number of booking slots will be reduced to 20.
For booking dates beginning February 1, 2024, and until further notice, the number of booking slots will
be reduced to 18 per day.
The number of booking slots and distribution of slots per booking period for each vessel category for theabove-mentioned conditions is presented in the following tables.
For booking dates November 3 to 7, 2023, the following booking slots will be offered:

ADVISORIES ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.pancanal.com
FOR ETAS OR DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR OFFICES, REFER TO NOTICE N-3-2023

3654-A (OP-I)
V. 29/03/2023

OP, October 30, 2023
Subject: Reduction in Transits Due to the Ongoing Deficit in Precipitation in the Canal Watershed

VESSEL
CATEGORY

SPECIALPERIODPERIOD 1

PERIOD 1.A(30-15 DAYS)PERIOD 2(14-8 DAYS)PERIOD 3(AUCTIONS)(7-2 DAYS)TOTAL

Neopanamax

122218Supers

34N/A

3212Regulars

2*-N/A

215Total

6627425*If not used, this slot is carried over to Period 1For booking dates November 8 to 14, 2023:
PERIOD 1.A(30-15 DAYS)PERIOD 2(14-8 DAYS)PERIOD 3(AUCTIONS)(7-2 DAYS)

222076N/A

22132*-N/A

2046826224

VESSEL
CATEGORY

SPECIALPERIODPERIOD 1Neopanamax

1Supers

3Regulars
Total

TOTAL

*If not used, this slot is carried over to Period 1

For booking dates from November 15 to November 30, 2023:
VESSEL
CATEGORY

SPECIALPERIODPERIOD 1PERIOD 1.A(30-15 DAYS)PERIOD 2(14-8 DAYS)PERIOD 3(AUCTIONS)(7-2 DAYS)TOTAL

Neopanamax

1221**

17Supers

36

N/A

2213Regulars

2*-

N/A

204Total

682

5324

*If not used, this slot is carried over to Period 1**the slot being eliminated is the conditioned slot

For booking dates from December 1 to December 31, 2023:
VESSEL
CATEGORY

SPECIALPERIODPERIOD 1PERIOD 1.A(30-15 DAYS)PERIOD 2(14-8 DAYS)Neopanamax
SupersRegulars

132*26-

1
N/A
N/A

1**21

PERIOD 3(AUCTIONS)(7-2 DAYS)
111Total

68143*If not used, this slot is carried over to Period 1**the slot being eliminated is the conditioned slot

TOTAL
612422

3654-A (OP-I)
V. 29/03/2023

OP, October 30, 2023
Subject: Reduction in Transits Due to the Ongoing Deficit in Precipitation in the Canal Watershed
For booking dates from January 1 to January 31, 2024:
VESSEL
CATEGORY

SPECIALPERIODPERIOD 1PERIOD 1.A(30-15 DAYS)PERIOD 2(14-8 DAYS)PERIOD 3(AUCTIONS)(7-2 DAYS)TOTAL

Neopanamax

1211**

05Supers

36N/A

1111Regulars

2*-N/A

114Total

6814220*If not used, this slot is carried over to Period 1**the slot being eliminated is the conditioned slot

For booking dates from February 1, 2024, until further notice:
VESSEL
CATEGORY

SPECIALPERIODPERIOD 1PERIOD 1.A(30-15 DAYS)PERIOD 2(14-8 DAYS)PERIOD 3(AUCTIONS)(7-2 DAYS)TOTAL

Neopanamax

1211**

05SupersRegulars
Total

32*
646N/AN/A
120311210318*If not used, this slot is carried over to Period 1**the slot being eliminated is the conditioned slot

The number of slots is based on the present and projected level of Gatun Lake for the following weeks.
Further adjustments in the daily number of transits will be announced depending on the rainfall in theCanal watershed and level of Gatun Lake.
As indicated in previous advisories, the ACP strongly encourages vessels to make use of the Transit
Reservation system in order to guarantee a transit date and to reduce the possibility of extensive delays.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Boris Moreno Vásquez
Vice President for Operations