The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has postponed the third draft restriction to May 25 for all vessels transiting the canal due to recent rainfall in the Panama Canal watershed.
Based on the new estimates for the Gatun Lake level, the maximum authorized transit draft will remain at 11.74 metres TFW until May 24, 2016, the ACP said.
In mid-April, the ACP issued the latest draft restriction amid dry weather conditions brought about by the El Niño, which triggered a drought in the canal watershed, causing the water level of the lake to fall substantially below its average for this time of the year.
Under the restriction, which was scheduled to take effect as of May 9, the ACP set the maximum authorized transit draft at 11.59 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).
The ACP said that it will continue to monitor the Gatun Lake level in order to adjust draft restrictions.