Panama Canal to cut number of ships passing through due to El Niño
The crucial waterway's operator says low rainfall caused by the ocean pattern had led to the decision.
The Panama Canal's operator plans to reduce the daily number of ships transiting the vital waterway, a decision prompted by diminished rainfall attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
On Thursday, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) informed shipping companies that effective September 15, the canal will accommodate 32 vessels per day, a decrease from the current 36.
El Niño, characterized by periodic warming of sea surface temperatures, influences global weather patterns. This year's El Niño is anticipated to be particularly potent, with its impacts intensified by climate change.
The shipping sector is already grappling with significant disruptions, including a substantial reduction in vessel traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war.
The ACP stated that these new measures are being implemented to maintain service reliability and protect water resources essential for human consumption.
The authority further explained that despite the onset of Central America's rainy season and existing water-saving initiatives within the canal, additional steps are necessary "to support the long-term sustainability of transit operations."
The new restrictions will be gradually introduced starting September 3.
The Panama Canal significantly shortens the travel time and distance for ships navigating between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Approximately 14,000 ships annually utilize this artificial waterway, which operates continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Beyond its role as a crucial global trade route, the canal is a primary revenue source for Panama, generating around $3 billion (£2.2 billion) annually.
In 2023, the ACP previously curtailed the number of vessels using the waterway during the last El Niño period, following Panama experiencing its driest October since record-keeping began in 1950. Since then, the authority has implemented measures to reduce its water usage.
Numerous forecasts suggest that this year's El Niño, a naturally occurring pattern, could be among the most powerful ever recorded, potentially causing disruptions to weather, food supplies, and economies.