Highlights Decrease marks first draft adjustment in six months Fully-laden Suezmaxes no longer able to transit Waiting times for transit increase, pressuring freight The maximum allowable draft at the Neopanamax locks at the Panama Canal is due to decrease to 49.5 feet, or 15.09 meters, from 50 feet, effective March 1, 2022, the first adjustment in 2022. Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Register Now As of March 1, ships with drafts exceeding the 49.5-foot maximum may be allowed to transit depending on the actual level of the Gatun Lake at the time of transit, otherwise the ship will be required to off-load cargo to transit. The maximum draft has been at 50 feet since June 9, 2021. In its Feb. 1 announcement, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said the updated draft restriction was based on the current and projected level of the […]