Panama cuts movements through canal due to El Niño-linked water shortage

Low rainfall caused by El Niño was blamed for a decision to cut vessel numbers permitted to transit the Panama Canal each day by more than a tenth.

The crucial waterway's operator says low rainfall caused by the ocean pattern had led to the decision.

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.