The Panama Canal Authority announced this week (15 June) that it has increased the maximum allowable length for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks. The maximum length overall (LOA) for commercial and non-commercial vessels acceptable for regular transits of the Neopanamax Locks is now 370.33 meters (1,215 feet), up from 367.28 meters (1,205 feet). The increase means that 96.8% of the world’s fleet of containerships can now transit the Panama Canal. In addition to this increased length overall, the Canal has also announced that it is now offering 15.24 meters (50 feet) draft, citing increased rainfall and successful water management at the Gatun Lake which have kept the draft at 14.93 meters (49 feet) since April 2021.