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What happened to Panama Canal draft restrictions
The Panama Canal Authority eased its draft restrictions and drought measures on Sept. 28. Advisory to Shipping A-36-2026 sets the maximum draft in the Neopanamax locks at 14.94 m (49.0 feet) effective immediately, replacing the 47.5-foot limit the canal had scheduled for Oct. 1. The same advisory adds a tenth daily Neopanamax slot for booking dates beginning Oct. 15, for 33 daily slots across both lock systems. The canal still warns that “the water deficit continues in the Canal watershed,” so conditions can change again. Carrier surcharges introduced in the summer remain on the books: Hapag-Lloyd applies USD 130 per TEU from the Far East to North America via Panama, and MSC applies USD 100 per TEU from Asia to the U.S. East Coast and Gulf, both “until further notice.”
Panama Canal draft and surcharges by the numbers
| Measure | Before Sept. 28 | After A-36-2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Neopanamax maximum draft | 47.5 ft scheduled from Oct. 1 | 49.0 ft, effective immediately |
| Neopanamax daily slots | 9 (since Sept. 3) | 10 for booking dates from Oct. 15 |
| Panamax daily slots | 23 (since Sept. 15) | 23 |
| Total daily slots | 32 | 33 |
| Hapag-Lloyd PCC, Far East to North America | $130 per TEU ($260 per 40-ft) | Unchanged, until further notice |
| MSC PCS, Asia to USEC and Gulf | $100 per TEU ($200 per 40-ft) | Unchanged, until further notice |
Per 40-ft amounts are our conversion at 2 TEU per 40-ft container. The 49.0-foot limit sits 1.5 feet (0.46 m) above the 47.5 feet planned for Oct. 1, which lets deep-laden Neopanamax ships load more cargo per transit.
What the draft change means for your shipment
For Asia-to-East Coast cargo, the canal decision changes reliability more than price. The bigger number is the gap between coasts. Drewry’s Sept. 24 index puts Shanghai to New York at $10,373 per 40-ft and Shanghai to Los Angeles at $7,838, a difference of $2,535. Index figures are benchmarks, not bookable rates; our guide to benchmark vs bookable freight rates explains the gap. Our guide on how port congestion and capacity constraints affect freight rates explains why routing limits show up in your rate.
Worked example (index-based estimate, not an ExFreight quote)
- All-water to New York: $10,373 per 40-ft (WCI). Panama surcharge share if added on top: $260 / $10,373 = 2.5% (Hapag-Lloyd) or $200 / $10,373 = 1.9% (MSC).
- West Coast port option: $7,838 per 40-ft (WCI), before moving the cargo east.
- Break-even: $10,373 – $7,838 = $2,535. Routing through Los Angeles saves money only if inland transport from the port to your East Coast facility, plus any transload and drayage, costs less than $2,535 per container.
The surcharge is a rounding error next to the coast-to-coast gap. Transit time, inventory carrying cost and the inland leg decide the routing.
How to plan Asia routings around canal limits
- Ask your forwarder which of your East Coast services transit Panama and whether the Panama surcharge is already in the quoted rate.
- Get a door-to-door comparison for East Coast delivery: all-water via Panama versus West Coast port plus full truckload inland.
- Build buffer days into November and December arrivals; the canal ties transit capacity to present and projected Gatun Lake levels.
- Check the allowed days at destination so a late vessel does not turn into demurrage or detention charges.
- Watch carrier advisories for a surcharge reduction now that draft has improved; none had been announced in the notices cited here.
For context on how surcharges flow into your bill, read how shipping lines work and what impacts your freight rates.
How ExFreight can help
The ExFreight platform shows multiple ports, carrier options and transit times on one screen, which makes the East Coast versus West Coast comparison quick. For ocean and air shipments ExFreight is the licensed carrier. Quotes are informational and subject to change; shipments can be re-invoiced if actual details differ.
Sources
- Primary Panama Canal Authority, Advisory to Shipping No. A-36-2026, Sept. 28, 2026
- Primary Panama Canal Authority, Panama Canal announces increase in draft and daily transit, Sept. 28, 2026
- Primary Panama Canal Authority, Panama Canal adopts additional measures to address reduced precipitation, Aug. 20, 2026
- Primary Hapag-Lloyd, Panama Canal Surcharge (PCC), Far East to North America, July 16, 2026
- Primary MSC, PCS Trade Asia to USEC and US Gulf Coast, July 20, 2026
- Primary Drewry, World Container Index, Sept. 24, 2026
- Secondary Daily Cargo News, World Container Index, 24 September 2026 (Drewry assessment as published), Sept. 25, 2026
This guide explains market and regulatory changes for shippers. It is not customs, legal or financial advice. Rates quoted are third-party index values, not ExFreight prices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Panama Canal draft limit?
Under Advisory A-36-2026 of Sept. 28, 2026, the maximum authorized draft in the Neopanamax locks is 14.94 m (49.0 feet) effective immediately and until further notice. It replaced the 47.5-foot limit that had been scheduled for Oct. 1. Check the latest advisory before booking deep-draft services.
Are Panama Canal surcharges still being charged?
The carrier notices cited here remain in force until further notice: Hapag-Lloyd at $130 per TEU from the Far East to North America and MSC at $100 per TEU from Asia to the U.S. East Coast and Gulf. Confirm with your forwarder before booking.
