The Panama Canal Authority’s new maximum draft restriction of 45 feet, or 13.72 meters, could impede the transit of Aframaxes and Long Range 2 tankers through the Neopanamax Locks, as a fully laden Aframax or LR2 has a draft of 14.9 meters. Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Register Now The canal authority, or ACP, said Tuesday it will tighten the maximum draft restriction in Gatun Lake, effective April 10, based on the projected precipitation and water levels of the lake in the coming weeks. As of Wednesday, the current maximum draft restriction in Gatun Lake is 47 feet, or 14.33 meters. The ACP announced this restriction on February 12. Further draft adjustments would be announced in 12-inch, or 30.5-cm, decrements, with advance notice of four weeks, the ACP said Tuesday. Ships arriving after April 10 with drafts exceeding the maximum 45 feet […]