Panama Canal: Water Shortage Contributing to Transit Delays

Starting this month (September) the Panama Canal Authority will reduce the number of vessels allowed to pass through each day due to low water levels in the artificial lakes that feed the lock system. Experts say the reason for the water shortage is largely the El Niño weather pattern, which typically brings dry spells to Central America.

Following the Panama Canal’s recent advisories regarding draft restrictions for large commercial vessels, together with a reduction in the number of daily transits and available booking slots, the booking situation has become unusually competitive for this time of year.

For unbooked regular vessels (yachts under 65ft) the impact could be significant. The Panama Canal Authority explicitly states that, while the water deficit continues, the Transit Reservation (Booking) System is the only way to guarantee a transit date. Therefore, an unbooked Regular Yacht/Vessel that arrives at the Canal will not be able to transit within a predictable timeframe.

For booking dates from September 4, 2026 daily transits will be reduced to 34 transits and for booking dates beginning September 15, 2026 daily transits capacity will be 32 transits. Further reductions in transit capacity can be expected subject to the water level situation.

Seasonal Delays for Small-Craft Transits

Associated Yacht Services warn that these delays may have a knock-on effect into 2027 as every year between January and May the number of small boats arriving in Panama Canal waters increases significantly. As a result, delays and waiting times for this category of vessels – particularly those under 65 feet / 19.812 meters – can reach several weeks.

Centenario Consulting reported about a meeting with Canal Management on Friday, September 11th, during which the expectations and potential impacts of the El Niño effect on Canal water levels, vessel draft restrictions, and transit operations was discussed.

According to Canal Management, merchant vessel capacity is expected to be reduced, and longer delays for small craft are anticipated during the high season from January through May 2027. They also advised that there are not expected to be any special lockages to mitigate waiting times. Therefore, yachts should be prepared for potentially longer waiting periods.

Advisor Availability and Operational Considerations

The current Canal advisor workforce consists of approximately 42 advisors. However, these personnel are also employed in other departments within the Canal Authority and are therefore subject to holidays, days off, weekends, and other availability constraints.

During the high season, the Canal may require approximately 4–6 advisors for starting and another 4–6 for completing transit movements each day. Due to the advisors’ broader responsibilities within the Canal workforce, there may not always be sufficient personnel available to meet the daily demand.

The combination of heavy yacht arrivals, Carnival holidays, expected yacht rallies, and the additional constraints caused by water conservation creates a recurring seasonal backlog. The limitations on merchant vessel capacity and the restrictions on accommodating yachts together with merchant vessels in the same chamber can further increase waiting times.

Potential Impact of Water Conservation in 2027

In addition to the seasonal increase in traffic, water-conservation measures associated with El Niño conditions during 2027 could create additional scheduling challenges. Under these circumstances, small vessels particularly those under 65 feet could face further delays in obtaining an available transit date.

Erick Galvez of Centenario Consulting told Noonsite; “We have been advising new customers that, as usual, waiting times beginning in February could range from approximately 5 to 30 days. However, based on the current outlook, we anticipate that waiting times could increase to approximately 45 days, similar to the situation experienced in 2024 when the Canal faced significant water shortages due to insufficient rainfall.

“The weather remains highly variable during the current rainy season, which is expected to continue through approximately mid-December 2026.”

“Based on the current situation, we recommend that yachts arriving at the Canal first proceed to either Shelter Bay on the Atlantic side or Flamenco on the Pacific side. Once the yacht is considered arrived, it can be registered and placed in the Canal transit queue. The waiting period can then be used productively to visit destinations such as:

San Blas
Bocas del Toro and other destinations
Las Perlas on the Pacific side
Local shipyards for maintenance or yard work, if required

“This approach allows yacht owners to make better use of the waiting period rather than remaining idle while awaiting their transit date.”

Agents are scheduled to have another meeting with Canal Management in November to receive an updated assessment of the effects of El Niño and the expected operating conditions.

Importance of Using an Authorized Canal Agent

Yacht owners planning a Panama Canal transit are strongly advised to use an authorized Panama Canal agent and to verify their agent’s status with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).

The ACP has warned of risks associated with unauthorized individuals offering Canal agency services, including potential loss of control over buffer funds and missed opportunities for earlier transit slots. Unauthorized representatives may also be unable to provide appropriate assistance within Canal waters if delays, mechanical problems or other operational issues arise.

The ACP operates separate platforms for authorized Canal agents (VUMPA) and vessel captains (ASSEM). Yacht owners should ensure they are dealing directly with an authorized representative and check the current ACP list of authorized Canal agents before making arrangements.

See the Noonsite Panama Canal Transit Guide for further information.

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Noonsite thanks Alessandro (Ales) Risi, Operations Manager with Associated Yacht Services in Panama and Erick Galvez of Centenario Consulting in Panama, for assisting with this information.

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