Panama Canal Puts 558 Transit Slots Up For Sealed Bids Covering January To April 2027

The Panama Canal announced a new phase of its Long-term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) program, covering the period from January 3rd to April 3 rd, 2027. The program, for the first time, reaches both sets of locks: LoTSA Neopanamax continues the program customers already know, and the new LoTSA Panamax Pilot Program extends the same opportunity to customers transiting the Panamax locks.

LoTSA is designed to give customers greater predictability when planning their operations, allowing them to secure transit slots in advance during the dry season. This option provides more certainty for scheduling itineraries and makes logistics planning easier for Canal users.

The program will be offered through sealed-bid competitions and will be backed by a specialized customer service team, dedicated to providing timely support and a smooth experience for participants.

The competition for the LoTSA Neopanamax will be held on November 17 th, 2026, while the LoTSA Panamax pilot program competition will take place on November 24 th, 2026.

The Neopanamax LoTSA program will offer 36 packages, with a total of 270 slots available (165 northbound and 105 southbound), equivalent to three daily transit slots distributed across different packages.

Meanwhile, the new pilot LoTSA program for the Panamax locks will offer 51 packages, for a total of 288 slots (147 northbound and 141 southbound), equivalent to three daily transit slots throughout the program period under a single flexibility level. These packages will be offered through a sealed-bid competition, maintaining the same allocation mechanism, selection criteria, and tie-breaking rules used for the Neopanamax LoTSA program.

It is important to note that the remaining transit capacity is expected to continue being offered through the regular Reservation System and Auction process, as is currently the case.

With the LoTSA Neopanamax and LoTSA Panamax programs, the Panama Canal reaffirms its commitment to continuous service improvement, operational efficiency, and reliable solutions for international maritime trade.

This program is particularly relevant in the current operating environment, as the Panama Canal implements measures to ensure the sustainability of its operations in response to climatic conditions affecting water availability.

Through LoTSA, Canal customers can choose to reserve transit slots, strengthening voyage planning and enhancing the reliability of their supply chains.

Press Release