After rains which have helped water levels recover, the Panama Canal Authority announced late on Monday that the number of vessels allowed to pass through its waterway will be increased to 34 per day.

The new slots are effective from July. The authority also announced that the maximum draft of ships passing through the largest locks in the canal will be increased from 30 feet to 46 feet beginning in mid-June.

According to the announcements by the canal made in May, the numbers represent a significant increase over the 32 vessels that are currently allowed to pass through each lock per day. The largest locks will have a maximum depth of 45 feet.

Rainfall in the region has increased.

Recent months

The canal, which is the second largest in the world, has been able to replenish its watershed. This has led to an increase of transits, which were severely restricted due to a drought last year.

Last month, the way's authority said that it was in discussions with LNG producers in the United States in order to ensure passage for this vessel category. (Reporting and editing by Gabriel Araujo, Elida Moreno, Marriana Pararaga, Natalia Siniawski)