Panama Canal tightens Neopanamax draft again for August

August sea-freight notes from forwarders say the Panama Canal Authority cut Neopanamax draft to 49.0 feet on 24 July 2026 and planned 48.5 feet from 15 August, with further talk of tighter limits later in the month. Lower draft means ships carry less cargo or wait for slots, which has already lifted Asia–US East Coast and Gulf rates relative to West Coast. Auction prices for priority transits have been volatile. Shippers of heavy rolls, tarps and metal goods should confirm payload, not only container count, and ask carriers whether a booking is canal-routed or will divert via Suez or the Cape if slots fail. Lead times on 3.0–5.0 m banner rolls can slip when vessels lighten or omit a Gulf call.