3654-A (NTXI) V. 1-10-2018 AUTORIDAD DEL CANAL DE PANAMÁ VICE PRESIDENCY FOR TRANSIT BUSINESS ADVISORY TO SHIPPING No. A-01-2019 January 4, 2019 TO : All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators SUBJECT: Maximum Allowable Transit Draft for the Neopanamax Locks Precipitation registered in the Panama Canal watershed during December 2018 was approximately 90 percent below the historical average, causing water levels in Gatun and Madden Lakes to drop below the expected levels for this time of the year. As a result, the Panama Canal has deemed it necessary to implement water conservation measures to delay implementation of seasonal draft adjustments and to minimize the adverse effect that these may have on our customers. Despite these efforts, the weather forecast for the upcoming weeks indicates that the first seasonal draft of 14.94 meters (49.0 feet) TFW is required effective February 11, 2019, for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks. Vessels arriving with drafts over 14.94 meters (49.0 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit past this date depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit. Otherwise, they will be required to trim or off-load cargo to transit. The maximum authorized transit draft is the deepest point of immersion in TFW permitted for a vessel in Gatun Lake. Water density of Gatun Lake is 0.9954 at 29.4°C (85°F). Vessels shall arrive at Canal waters with no list. During the dry season, draft adjustments for the Neopanamax locks will be announced in 30centimeter (one foot) decrements at a time, generally with at least four weeks advanced notice. ORIGINAL SIGNED Esteban G. Sáenz Vice President for Transit Business ADVISORIES ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.pancanal.com FOR ETAS OR DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR OFFICES, REFER TO NOTICE N-3-2019