PANAMA CITY, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Panama Canal will increase daily transits through its larger Neopanamax locks to 10 starting Oct. 15, the Panama Canal Authority said Monday.
The move will bring the total number of daily transit slots across both sets of locks to 33. The canal authority said the decision was based on current and projected water levels in Gatun Lake, a key source of water for the canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Near-average rainfall in the canal's watershed has also allowed authorities to set the maximum draft for ships using the Neopanamax locks at 49 feet (14.94 meters), effective immediately. Draft is the depth of a ship's hull below the waterline.
As water shortages persist, the authority said its booking system remains the only way to guarantee passage on a specific date, adding that it will continue monitoring water levels and rainfall and announce further changes as conditions allow.
The Neopanamax locks, which opened in 2016, accommodate ships too large to pass through the canal's original locks. ■