Panama Canal to reduce shipping over drought
The Panama Canal will reduce shipping volumes from next month because of a drought fueled by the El Niño phenomenon, the operator of the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans said on Thursday. From September 3, the number of vessels allowed through the canal each day will be reduced due to a lack of rain, the Panama Canal Authority said. From 36 ships currently, the number will be…
The Panama Canal Authority announced on Thursday that the waterway will reduce shipping volumes starting September 3 due to a drought caused by El Niño. The number of vessels allowed through the canal daily will decrease from 36 to 34, and then further to 32 from September 15. El Niño, which warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, is fueling the severe drought across Central America.
The Panama Canal handles 5% of global maritime trade and 40% of US container traffic, relying on rainwater collected in two artificial lakes. The canal operator has already taken water conservation measures, such as lowering the maximum draft for large ships. This year's El Niño is considered one of the strongest on record, with Honduras placing 80% of the country on drought alert.
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