The Panama Canal Authority said that rains in recent days have raised water levels. This has allowed heavier ships to navigate the Neopanamax locks.

In a client advisory, the Canal Authority said that the maximum depth of the waterway would be 47 feet (14.33 meters) immediately and 48 feet (14.63 meters) on July 11.

The authority has also added another slot in the Neopanamax locks for bookings after August 5. This brings the total available slots for both Neopanamax and Panamax to 35.

These changes will provide greater flexibility to shippers who have been forced to find alternative routes due to the drought. (Reporting and editing by Anthony Esposito; Kylie Madry, reporting)