Panama, the Canal increases daily transits despite El Nino
Quick Look
- The Panama Canal Authority increased the number of daily transits to 33, thanks to rains that mitigated the drought caused by El Niño.
- The limit remains lower than the usual average of 36 vessels.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Panama Canal has suffered operational restrictions due to prolonged drought linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
The Panama Canal has increased the maximum number of daily transits from 32 to 33, thanks to the improvement in rainfall after the restrictions imposed by the drought linked to the El Nino climate phenomenon.
The new threshold, in force from Thursday, still remains lower than the usual average of 36 ships per day. Passage through the Neopanamax locks returns to ten ships per day, compared to the nine allowed since September 3.
For the Panamax locks, the limit remains at 23 daily transits, compared to a normal average of 26. The restrictions take into account current levels and forecasts on Gatun Lake, the main water reserve used to feed the canal.
The Panama Canal Authority said that the water deficit in the basin has not yet been overcome and that the reservation system remains the only way to guarantee a transit date.
Open Questions
- When will the canal return to full capacity of 36 daily transits?
