Topic
El Niño
Every Vessel Hunter story on El Niño: 6 stories, from 9 June 2026 to 4 October 2026. Newest: "Panama Canal raises neopanamax draught to 49 feet and adds a daily slot". Each story links to the ships and ports it names, so a name in the text opens the record behind it.
Panama Canal raises neopanamax draught to 49 feet and adds a daily slot
The Panama Canal has restored a 49-foot maximum draught in the neopanamax locks and will return to ten daily neopanamax transits from 15 October, as near-average rain eases its water deficit.
Panama Canal Budgets 29.5 Deep-Draft Transits a Day for FY2027
The Panama Canal is budgeting for 10,750 deep-draft transits in FY2027, an average of 29.5 a day, while tightening booking slots and postponing a planned draught reduction.
Panama Canal Loosens Booking Rules to Stretch Shrinking Transit Capacity
From booking dates beginning 13 September the canal will offer 63 neopanamax slots a week and guarantee minimum allocations to containerships, gas carriers, bulkers and vehicle carriers.
Panama Canal Cuts Daily Transits to 32 From September 3
Daily transits drop from 34 to 32 on September 3 and fall again on September 15, with unbooked ships already waiting more than eight days to get through.
Panama Canal tightens neopanamax draught limits again
ño over the watershed in the months ahead. It said lake levels and projections would be monitored, with more adjustments if needed. This is not yet a repeat of the severe 2023-24 drought restrictions that slashed bookin…
Panama Canal trims vessel draft, reviving memories of the drought crisis
The Panama Canal Authority will cut the neopanamax draft limit to 49.5 ft from 3 July, citing Gatun Lake levels and El Niño risk and reviving 2023-24 drought fears.
Never miss a move
Maritime, in motion. In your inbox.
The vessel sales, incidents, and market moves worth knowing, sent as they happen.