zoomImage Courtesy: ACP

The East lane of the Gatun Locks will be out of service in order to perform scheduled repairs on the northeast approach wall and on rising stem valve 223, according to an advisory released by Panama Canal Authority.

Namely, the ACP said that the scheduled maintenance will start at 8 pm local time today, and the works are planned to be completed by 8 am on November 19.

As a result, and in accordance with the rules governing the Transit Reservation System, Condition 1.a for the Panamax Locks will be in effect on Saturday.

The Panama Canal Authority started receiving applications for reserved transits while Condition a.1 is in effect on November 16.

The just-in-time (JIT) transit slots, as well as the booking slot available through the Auction Process, and the slots available for regular vessels less than 300 feet in LOA, will continue to be offered during this period, the ACP informed.

During the fiscal year 2016, the Panama Canal handled 330.7 million tons of goods, the third highest amount ever recorded, contributed by strong container traffic, newly introduced segments and the expanded canal.

A total of 13,114 vessels transited the waterway during the fiscal period from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016, of which 238 were Neopanamax vessels that took advantage of the expanded canal during the first three months of its operation, accounting for 18.2 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS).