The Panama Canal Authority is reducing daily booking capacity to 32 vessels from mid-September, citing worsening rainfall deficits linked to an approaching El Niño pattern. From September 4, the canal will offer nine neopanamax and 25 panamax slots daily, with panamax availability dropping further to 23 slots from September 15. Auction rules are also being restructured, separating vessel types into four groups and prioritizing larger containerships. Planned draft reductions have been delayed to September 2 and October 1, respectively, offering some near-term relief.