LNG-Tanker: Millionengebühr oder 15.000 Kilometer Umweg: Reedereien zahlen Rekordsummen für Fahrt durch Panama-Kanal
Dürre durch das Klimaphänomen El Niño verschärft die durch den Iran-Krieg ohnehin angespannte Lage am Kanal. Asiatische Reeder zahlen hohe Beträge für garantierte Plätze in den Schleusen.
The Panama Canal, the narrow link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is facing unprecedented tension as of late. Ships are currently waiting up to two weeks for a spot in the locks, particularly due to the effects of the Iran war. Asian countries are increasingly importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, as deliveries from Qatar and other Gulf states have ceased.
Additionally, the weather phenomenon El Niño, which could intensify this year, is exacerbating the situation. In Panama, this has led to a significant drop in water levels in the Lago Gatún, the freshwater lake between the two oceans that ships traverse. To prevent too much freshwater flowing into the sea and threatening the lake's condition, the canal authority reduced the number of daily passages starting in September.
Moreover, large ships can no longer carry their full cargo through the canal due to insufficient water levels. As a result, shipping companies are paying record sums to navigate their vessels through the Panama Canal.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
