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Panama Canal to cut daily transits as El Niño drought worsens

Starting 3 September, daily transits will drop from 36 to 34, then fall to 32 as of 15 September, after rainfall from May to August fell 34% below average in the canal area.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

The Panama Canal Authority says it will further reduce the number of vessels allowed through the waterway starting next month due to worsening drought linked to El Niño.

Under the new measures, the canal will limit daily transits to 34 vessels starting 3 September, and then cut the number to 32 as of 15 September, citing low water levels in two artificial lakes that feed the canal.

The authority said rainfall from May to August in the canal area was down 34% from its historical average and that El Niño could reduce rainfall further.

The Panama Canal Authority added that the canal handles about 5% of global maritime trade and roughly 40% of US container traffic, and it said waiting times are expected to increase for ships trying to cross without making reservations in advance.

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