Panama Canal to cap ship transits
Reduced canal slots could slow international shipping for industries that use the waterway and raise costs, after a 2023 drought disrupted global supply chains.
reede, 21. august 2026 09:58
The Panama Canal Authority will limit ship transits through the Panama Canal from early September to prepare for lower water levels linked to El Nino, Al Jazeera reported.
The authority, which oversees the waterway, announced on Thursday that it would set daily transit caps because of concerns about drier weather conditions. Under the measures, 34 vessels will be allowed through from September 4, followed by a limit of 32 ships from September 15.
The move marks a reversal after officials told Reuters in May that they had no plans to limit crossings this year, citing water conservation measures imposed last year. The canal handles about 5 percent of global maritime trade and usually has capacity for about 40 vessels a day. Since June, it has averaged 35 daily transits.
A significant fall in canal travel is likely to slow international shipping for industries that depend on the route and could increase costs. A severe drought in 2023 cut Panama Canal traffic by roughly 36 percent, disrupting global supply chains.
The canal uses a lock system to lift and lower vessels moving between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It depends in part on freshwater from nearby lakes and reservoirs, especially Gatun Lake, which also supplies drinking water to Panama City and nearby cities, adding pressure during droughts.
El Nino occurs every two to seven years when the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than usual. Scientists expect a particularly strong El Nino in the coming months, potentially among the strongest on record, with risks of more extreme weather events.
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