The Panama Canal Will Limit the Number of Ships Due to the Risk of Drought
The Panama Canal Authority announced restrictions on the number of vessels allowed to transit the waterway due to an expected drop in water levels caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. Starting September 4, 34 ships per day will be allowed to transit the canal, and starting September 15, the daily limit will be reduced to 32.
The restrictions are being implemented due to concerns about drier weather conditions in the region. According to Al Jazeera English, in May, administration officials told Reuters that they had no plans to restrict transit this year, citing water conservation measures implemented last year.
The Panama Canal accounts for about 5% of global maritime trade and typically handles approximately 40 ships per day. Since June, the average number of transits has been 35 ships per day. The reduction in capacity could slow down international shipments for industries that depend on this route and increase their costs.
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During the severe drought of 2023, traffic through the canal dropped by about 36%, causing disruptions in global supply chains. The drop in water levels at that time was attributed to El Niño and climate change, which has been accelerated by human activity.
El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon that occurs once every two to seven years, when the water in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is warmer than usual. It can cause heat waves and droughts in some areas and floods in others. Scientists expect a particularly strong El Niño in the coming months, which could increase the number of extreme weather events.
The canal operates using locks that raise and lower ships as they pass between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is partially fed by fresh water from nearby lakes and reservoirs, primarily Lake Gatún. This lake also supplies drinking water to cities near the canal, including the capital, Panama City.
