ACP Reschedules Third Draft Restriction Once More

Panama Canal Authority Based on the present level of Gatun Lake and the rainfall projections for the upcoming weeks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has further postponed the third draft restriction until June 6, 2016. The maximum authorized transit draft will remain 11.74 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) until June 5, after then, the maximum authorized transit draft will be 11.59 meters TFW. In mid-April, the ACP issued the third draft restriction amid dry weather conditions brought about by the El Niño, which triggered a drought in the canal watershed, causing the water level of the lake to fall substantially below its average for this time of the year. The restriction was initially scheduled to take effect as of May 9, but last week it was pushed to May 25 for all vessels transiting the canal due to rainfall in the Panama Canal watershed. The Gatun Lake level will continue to be monitored for further adjustments to draft restrictions, according to the ACP.