Panama Canal announces new booking condition

The Panama Canal has experienced increased congestion due to transit restrictions brought on by low water levels due to drought, with around 150 ships of all types awaiting passage and wait times reaching over 20 days. Vessel queueing is typical around both ends of the canal that can see up to 90 ships in the area during the rainy season. The Panama Canal Authority implemented additional “Condition 3” booking restrictions from August 8-August 21 to allow more flexibility to manage un-booked vessels through the canal’s older Panamax locks. With the fundamental solution of more rain and lower temperatures unpredictable, shipping lines and shippers are turning to alternate routings principally via the Suez Canal that offers a reasonable transit time tradeoff to and from southern Asia ports.