Panama Canal to cut ship traffic as El Nino drought worsens
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Panama City : The Panama Canal will further reduce the number of ships allowed to pass through the key trade route as a worsening drought linked to the El Niño weather pattern lowers water levels.
From October, an average of 29.5 vessels will be allowed through the canal each day, down from 36 in August. The daily limit was reduced to 32 in September as rainfall remained below normal.
The 82-km canal depends on fresh water from rivers feeding Lake Gatun to operate its locks. Falling water levels have forced authorities to restrict traffic to protect navigation and conserve supplies.
The canal carries about 5% of global maritime trade and around 40% of US container traffic. The restrictions are expected to increase waiting times and shipping costs, with vessels already facing delays of up to 10 days.
The disruption comes as El Nino is forecast to strengthen later this year, raising concerns that further restrictions could be imposed. A similar drought in 2023 forced the canal to cut daily traffic to 22 ships, causing major delays for global shipping.
Pic Credit: AFP | File Image
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