Panama Canal reduces ship traffic due to drought caused by El Niño
Quick Look
The Panama Canal announced a gradual reduction in daily ship traffic from 36 to 32 crossings, starting September 15, due to the decrease in rainfall in the river basin caused by the El Niño phenomenon, which also led to the reduction of the maximum draft allowed to 14.48 meters starting October 1, following record low levels in the Gatun and Alhajuela lakes in 2023.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Panama Canal relies on rainwater stored in the artificial lakes of Gatun and Alhajuela for its operations. By 2023, the El Niño phenomenon had already forced a reduction in daily traffic from 38 to 22 crossings due to record low levels of these lakes.
The Panama Canal implemented this Friday (4) a plan to reduce ship traffic due to the decrease in rainfall caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon.
The waterway, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and handles 5% of global maritime trade, will gradually reduce the number of daily crossings from 36 to 32, according to a statement from the ACP (Panama Canal Authority).
The canal operates using rainwater stored in the artificial lakes of Gatun and Alhajuela, whose levels have decreased due to the drought caused by El Niño, which is the most intense on record and which has led to a national alert.
The rains were "less than expected" in the canal's watershed, which required "additional measures" to ensure the long-term sustainability of operations, said the body that controls operations there.
34 crossings are planned for this Friday and, from September 15th, the maximum number of vessels transiting the Panamanian waterway will be 32.
The ACP, an autonomous state entity, implemented other water-saving measures months ago, including limiting the draft of vessels (the depth at which they sink).
From October 1st, the draft cannot exceed 14.48 meters. Initially, the limit was 15.24 meters. The reduction is due to the fact that a smaller draft means less water displacement.
In 2023, El Niño forced a reduction in the number of daily transits from 38 to 22, due to record low lake levels. The ACP did not rule out implementing new restrictions, depending on the volume of rain in the coming weeks.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
ACP may implement new traffic restrictions depending on the amount of rainfall in the coming weeks.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How long will the current restrictions remain in place?
- What will be the overall economic impact of the continued reduction in canal traffic?
- Are there viable alternatives to increase water capture in the canal's watershed?
