Announcement of Second Draft Restriction
As anticipated in Advisories to Shipping A-5-2016, A-7-2016 and A-12-2016, a second draft restriction is being hereby announced.
Effective April 29, 2016, the maximum authorized transit draft will be set at 11.74m (38.5 feet), Tropical Fresh Water (TFW), as follows:
- Vessels loaded to drafts over 11.74 meters (38.5 feet) on or before April 1, 2016, will have this draft restriction waived for transit, subject to safety considerations.
- Vessels loaded after April 1, 2016, shall comply with the draft restriction.
- Vessels arriving with drafts over 11.74 meters (38.5 feet), TFW, may be allowed to transit after April 29, 2016, depending on the level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit. Otherwise, they will be required to trim or off-load cargo in order to transit.
As in the past, draft restrictions will be implemented in 15-centimeter (six-inch) decrements at a time, with each restriction announced at least four weeks in advance. Vessels already loaded to the prevailing draft limitation at the time of announcing the new draft restriction will have this restriction waived for transit, subject to safety considerations.
The maximum authorized transit draft is the deepest point of immersion in TFW allowed for a particular vessel in Gatun Lake, which has a density of 0.9954 at 29.4°C (85°F). However, vessels shall arrive at Canal waters with no list.
The Panama Canal Authority will eliminate these draft restrictions as soon as Gatun Lake level returns to normal.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Esteban G. Sáenz
Executive Vice President for Operations
Source: Panama Canal
