LatinNews Daily - 29 September 2026

*The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that it will increase the number of daily transits in the Neopanamax locks to 10, for a total of 33 daily slots within Neopanamax and Panamax locks, beginning 15 October. In a statement yesterday, it said that this was based on the “present and projected level” of Gatún Lake which feeds the locks. Last month the ACP had announced that as of 15 September, daily transits would be reduced to 32, down from 34 as a result of drought due to the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon. In the same statement yesterday, the ACP added that “taking into consideration the positive effect of the close to average precipitation on the Canal watershed and the effective water saving measures implemented in the Locks, effective immediately and until further notice”, the maximum authorised draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks would be 49.0 feet (14.94 m). Last month the ACP had announced that as of 2 September the maximum authorised draft in the Neopanamax locks would be 48.0 feet while as of 1 October this would drop to 47.5 feet. Also yesterday, Panama’s 71-member unicameral legislature approved the budget for the Panama Canal for FY2027 which was for US$5.56bn, up from US$5.21bn approved for FY2026. According to the ACP, for FY2027, direct contributions to the national treasury are estimated at US$3.61bn, up 12.9% on that projected in the approved budget for FY2026.

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