PANAMA CANAL TO FURTHER REDUCE DRAFT LIMIT FOR NEOPANAMAX VESSELS
The Panama Canal will further reduce the maximum allowable draft for Neopanamax vessels from late August 2026 as water levels in Gatun Lake continue to decline.
As the United States officially imposes countervailing duties of up to 46% on certain export products from Vietnam, the Vietnamese logistics sector is facing significant challenges—including rising operational costs, longer shipping times, and the risk of supply chain disruptions.
In response to this situation, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) has swiftly established a Taskforce for Rapid Response to Countervailing Duties (VLA-TRT). This taskforce aims to assist member enterprises in promptly and effectively addressing the impacts of these trade measures.

The taskforce comprises representatives from the VLA Executive Board, specialized committees, and key logistics enterprises in Vietnam. Its primary objective is to coordinate, consolidate business feedback, assess the impacts, and propose urgent as well as long-term strategies to the Government to help sustain stable export operations.
In an official document submitted to the Prime Minister, VLA put forward a series of practical recommendations, including:
This is not only a timely effort to respond to global market fluctuations, but also an opportunity for Vietnam's logistics sector to undergo restructuring, enhance internal capabilities, and improve transparency and competitiveness within the international supply chain.
As the “backbone” of international trade, the logistics industry is increasingly affected by geopolitical shifts and evolving global trade policies. The proactive establishment of the rapid response taskforce reflects VLA’s strong commitment to supporting the business community in navigating challenges and seizing new opportunities arising from global trade realignments.
Source: collect