The Panama Canal Authority has set a maximum draft limit of 11.89 meters from 8 September.
“The draft restrictions are not expected to significantly affect the efficiency or capacity of Canal operations since only 18.5 percent of the vessels transit with drafts greater than 11.89 meters (39.0 feet),” the PCA said in a statement.
Further restrictions could be enforced later next month, with the limit likely to be trimmed to 11.73 meters from 16 September.
The PCA says the last time the El Nino effect impacted the waterway was in the 1997-1998 season.
