Panama Canal imposes draft limits on drought

OREANDA-NEWS. August 10, 2015. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has issued "temporary and preventive" draft restrictions because of a drought in the canal watershed.

The maximum draft has been set at 11.89m (39ft) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW), effective from 8 September, the ACP said late yesterday.

"These measures are being taken to ensure the continuous and safe operation of the Canal during this period. Given the information available, the Panama Canal also anticipates in their Advisory that the draft may be restricted to 11.73 meters (38.5 feet) starting September 16, 2015 to further guarantee the safety and efficiency of ships transiting the Canal," the ACP said.

The maximum authorized transit draft is defined as the deepest point of TFW immersion for each specific vessel in Gatun lake.

The ACP said the restrictions "are not expected to significantly affect the efficiency or capacity of Canal operations" because only 18.5pc of the vessels transit with drafts greater than 11.89m.

The El Ni?o weather phenomenon has caused water levels in the Gatun and Alhajuela lakes to fall "substantially below" their average for this time of year, the ACP said.

The ACP said it will advise with at least four weeks advance notice if further draft restrictions are confirmed, but it also left open the possibility of a lifting of the restrictions if rainfall should increase.

The last time El Ni?o triggered similar conditions was in the 1997-98 season, the ACP said.