The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has informed of OP'S ADVISORY TO SHIPPING No.A-20-2013, "VESSEL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW PANAMAX" as attached. As necessary, please refer to the relating text of the advisory and others which are available on the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Internet Homepage. (http://www.pancanal.com)

A summary of this OP'S ADVISORY TO SHIPPING No.A-20-2013, "VESSEL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW PANAMAX" is presented hereunder for your information.

1. Definition
(1) Panamax Plus: All Panamax vessels authorized for TFW drafts greater than 12.04 meters and approved for transit of the new locks.
(2) New Panamax: All vessels with dimensions greater than Panamax or Panamax Plus that comply with the size and draft limitations of the new locks; namely, 366.00 meters in length by 49.00 meters in beam by 15.20 meters TFW draft.

2. Maximum dimensions acceptable for regular transit the new locks are as follows;
(1) The maximum length overall including bulbous bow for commercial or non-commercial vessels acceptable for regular transit is 366.00 meters.
(2) The maximum beam for commercial or non-commercial vessels and the integrated tug-barge combination acceptable for regular transit is 49.00 meters, measured at the outer surface of the shell plate.
(3) The maximum permissible draft for Canal transits has been set at 15.20 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) at a Gatun Lake level of 25.91meters or higher. Gatun Lake density is 0.9954tons/m³ at 29.4 ºC.

3. Requirements for Construction, Number, and Location of chocks and bitts by ACP are partly revised, because chocks and bitts will be used by ACP tugs assisting vessels through the new locks. Please refer to attachment for details.

(To be continued)