Panama Canal to Further Restrict Traffic Due to Worsening El Niño-Induced Drought
The Panama Canal Authority plans to implement further restrictions on maritime traffic due to a worsening drought caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon. Starting in October, the average number of vessels allowed to transit daily will be reduced to 29.5, an 18% decrease from the 36 transits permitted in August. This follows an initial reduction in September from 36 to 32 daily transits. The canal, which handles 5% of global maritime trade and approximately 40% of U.S. container traffic, relies on fresh water from rivers flowing into Lake Gatun to operate its lock system. Officials reported lower-than-forecast rainfall in the watershed, leading to declining lake levels. The El Niño event is projected to be one of the strongest in four decades, with global air and ocean temperatures spiking and precipitation patterns shifting dramatically.
