ACP Shelves Third Draft Restriction

ACP Based on the present water level of Gatun Lake and the rainfall projections for the upcoming weeks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has suspended the third draft restriction that was scheduled to be effective 6 June 2016. The maximum authorized transit draft will remain 11.74 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TWF) until further notice. On April 15, 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 it was pushed to May 25 for all vessels transiting the canal due to rainfall in the Panama Canal watershed. Subsequently, the draft restriction was postponed until June 6, 2016. The ACP says it will continue to monitor the Gatun Lake for further adjustments to draft restrictions.