Panama Canal to reduce shipping as El Niño fuels drought in lakes that feed waterway

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.

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.

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.