Further reductions in Panama Canal traffic announced
by Daria Blackwell 14 Nov 2023 20:29 UTC
Panama Canal © Vajiram and Ravi
After the driest month of October since 1950, the Panama Canal announced new operational measures with nearly 50 days remaining in the rainy season.
In October 2023, there was 41% less rainfall than usual, lowering Gatun Lake to unprecedented levels for this time of year. It was the driest October since the earliest recordings began 73 years ago. Therefore, with less than two months left until the end of the rainy season, the Canal and the country face the challenge of the upcoming dry season with a minimum water reserve that must guarantee supply for the population and maintain the operations of the interoceanic waterway.
Against this backdrop, the Panama Canal announces reservation slots available from November until February. They are established as announced on Advisory to Shipping No. A-48-2023:
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Dates
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Number of reservation slots
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November 3rd to 7th
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25
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November 8 to 30
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24
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December 1 to 31
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22
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January 1 to January 31, 2024
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20
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As of February 1, 2024
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18
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These measures are in addition to those previously adopted to preserve freshwater resources and to ensure the safety of transit operations. The Panama Canal urges its customers to make reservations in order to transit as programmed.
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This article has been provided by the courtesy of the
Ocean Cruising Club.