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.

Panama Canal will cut daily transits of ships from September because of low rainfall and amid an intensifying El Nino event.

The operator said it does not rule out further restrictions on shipping depending on how much it rains in the coming weeks.

El Niño induced drought is cutting daily transits, adding pressure to a shipping system already strained by Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption.

The Panama Canal will reduce shipping volumes from next month because of a drought fueled by the El Niño phenomenon, the operator of the strategic waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans said.

From Sept. 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34, before dropping further to 32 from Sept. 15 onward.

From September 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34 due to low water levels in two artificial lakes that feed the canal, the Panama Canal Authority said on Thursday. It will drop to 32 from September 15 on.

From September 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34 due to low water levels in two artificial lakes that feed the canal, the Panama Canal Authority said on Thursday. It will drop to 32 from September 15 on.

PANAMA CITY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The Panama Canal Authority will cap daily transits as of early September as it gears up for a longer-than-usual El Niño season expected to reduce water levels, it said on Thursday, walking back a previous pledge to not limit vessel passage.

From September 15, number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 32

The El Nino weather phenomenon is expected to increase the likelihood of drought and excess heat across the region.

Authority plans to reduce number of passages for the second time in its 110-year history

PANAMA CITY: The Panama Canal Authority will cap daily transits as of early September as it gears up for a longer-than-usual El Nino season expected to reduce water levels, it said on Thursday (Aug 20), walking back a previous pledge to not limit vessel passage.Under the new measures, the canal will limit daily transit

The Panama Canal will reduce shipping volumes from next month because of a drought fuelled by the El Nino phenomenon, the operator of the strategic waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans said Thursday.

Under the new measures, the canal will limit daily transits as of Sept. 4 to 34 vessels, and reduce the number to 32 as of Sept. 15.