The Panama Canal has announced that it increased the number of daily transits from 32 to 33, 11 July ago
This number will further rise to 34 as of 22 July, in response to the current and projected water levels of Gatun Lake over the coming weeks, and the onset of the rainy season in the Panama Canal Watershed.
| Current Scenario | Effective July 11 | Effective July 22 | |
| Panamax Locks | 24 | 24 | 25 |
| Neopanamax Locks | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Total | 32 | 33 | 34 |
Gradual increases
With these gradual increases, by 22 July the Canal will have added two transits to the current schedule: one for the panamax locks (bringing daily transits to 25), and one for the neopanamax locks (raising daily transits to 9). Additionally, an increase in draft from 45 to 46 feet was announced, effective from 15 June.
The Panama Canal said it will continue to monitor weather conditions daily to implement the necessary operational actions in the event of increased rainfall in its watershed.
Narrow Isthmus
Panama Canal, lock-type canal, owned and administered by the Republic of Panama, that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the narrow Isthmus of Panama. The length of the Panama Canal from shoreline to shoreline is about 40 miles (65 km) and from deep water in the Atlantic (more specifically, the Caribbean Sea) to deep water in the Pacific about 50 miles (82 km).
Artificial waterways
The canal, which was completed in August 1914, is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other being the Suez Canal.
Shorten their voyage
Ships sailing between the east and west coasts of the United States, which otherwise would be obliged to round Cape Horn in South America,
It shorten their voyage by about 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) by using the canal. Savings of up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) are also made on voyages between one coast of North America and ports on the other side of South America.
Ships sailing between Europe and East Asia or Australia can save as much as 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km) by using the canal.
