PANAMA CITY: The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said it has suspended a draft restriction scheduled to go into effect September 8 which would have affected almost 20% of vessels transiting the canal.
“The amount of rainfall received in the canal watershed during the last few days, in addition to the implemented water conservation measures, has made it possible for Panama Canal to suspend the [proposed] restriction,” the ACP said.
The ACP said the water level in Gatun Lake was still well below normal levels for the time of the year and the El Nino phenomenon was also prevalent in the region. Changing weather conditions could still lead the authority to impose draft restriction, in which case any announcement would be made at least four weeks in advance, it said.
Earlier this month the ACP said the maximum allowable draft would be lowered to 11.89 meters (39 feet) from 12.04 meters (39.5 feet) from September 8, meaning many ships could not be fully loaded while transiting the canal.
