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Panama suspends booking slots due to backlog from fog bigger ship volume

THE high incidence of fog during October and November and an increase in the arrival of larger vessels (91' beam or over) have led to Panama Canal suspending routine maintenance at the locks until further notice.

Additional suspension of lock crews for relay operations and the addition of tugs and tugboat crews to assist in transit will take place to reduce the backlog of vessels.

There will be a temporary reduction in the number of booking slots to 16 for supers from December 3. It will also temporarily suspend the Just-In-Time transit service. Vessels that have already been confirmed for Just-In-Time service will be honoured.

Applications for reserved transits under this booking condition are no longer available. The booking slot available through the auction process as well as the slots available for vessels less than 300 feet in length will continue to be offered. The limits by direction and restriction will remain unchanged.

For information about operations in Panama contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com .