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

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 ¹ can reach several weeks.

The primary reason for the longer waiting times for vessels under 65 feet is that they transit with a Panama Canal Transit Advisor, rather than a Panama Canal Pilot. A Panama Canal Transit Advisor is a Canal-authorized employee who is assigned to assist vessels under 65 feet during their transit.

These Advisors are Canal employees who normally work in different areas of the Panama Canal and the number of authorized Transit Advisors is considerably smaller than the number of Panama Canal Pilots. Because of this limited number of available Advisors, demand during the first months of the year can significantly exceed capacity.

Consequently, delays for vessels under 65 feet can be substantial even under normal Canal water conditions.

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.

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Noonsite thanks Alessandro (Ales) Risi, Operations Manager with Associated Yacht Services in Panama for assisting with this information.

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