Please see below update on the traffic & covid-19 situation in Panama. Despite a 24 hours curfew imposed by the Government yesterday, the Panama Canal traffic is running as normal.
Please do approach us, should you require further information.
PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS AGAINST COVID-19
The Panama Canal is closely monitoring the Covid-19 outbreak and has adopted a series of measures to protect their personnel and to prevent further spread of the virus.
The following measures have been taken in response to Covid-19:
- Vessels are required to report to MINSA if/when crew changes occurred within 14 days of arrival at ports with Covid-19 cases.
- Panama Canal admeasures must contact the vessels on radio before boarding to confirm all crewmembers are healthy and to verify recent changes.
- Panama Canal personnel are equipped with masks and alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel.
- Constant communication is maintained between the Panama Canal and MINSA’s maritime health doctors.
- MINSA has sent a communication to all shipping companies, requiring that they report any person who has any illness-symptoms.
Please find additional information about the precautionary actions here.
NORTHBOUND WAITING TIME
Neopanamax: 3 days
Panamax Plus: 5+ days
Panamax: 4 days
Small: 4 days
SOUTHBOUND WAITING TIME
Neopanamax: 3 days
Panamax Plus: 5+ days
Panamax: 4 days
Small: 4 days
DAILY TRANSITS
GATUN LAKE WATER LEVELS
|
Year 2020 |
Official water level |
Surcharge percent |
|
24th March |
81.1ft |
6.32 % |
|
25th March |
81.1ft |
6.32 % |
|
26th March |
81.1ft |
6.32 % |
For additional information about the water projection or to use the water surcharge calculator please follow this link
GENERAL LOCK RESTRICTIONS
|
|
Panamax Locks |
Neopanamax Locks |
|
Max Draft TFW |
12.04 m / 39.5 ft |
15.2 m / 49.87 ft * |
|
Max Beam |
32.31 m / 106 ft |
51.25 m / 168.14 ft |
|
Max LOA |
294.13 m / 965 ft |
366 m / 1200 ft |
|
Water density |
0.9954 gms/cc at 29.4°C (85° F) |
|
Please note that the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting the Neo-Panamax locks has been decreased to 13.02m (46.0 feet) due to the present and projected level of the Gatun Lake.
Update 1: From March 30, 2020 the maximum authorized draft will be reduced to 13.87m (45.5 feet).
Update 2: From April 17, 2020 the maximum authorized draft will be reduced to 13.56m (44.5 feet).
FYG
Neopanamax: Vessels with a beam up to 51.25 meters/168.14 feet
Panamax Plus: Panamax vessels that are approved for the new locks.
Panamax (supers): Vessels with a beam over 27.74 meters/91 feet
Small (regulars): Vessels with a beam less 27.74 meters/91 feet
Northbound: Pacific Balboa - to Atlantic Cristobal
Southbound: Atlantic Cristobal - to Pacific Balboa