Due To Extreme Drought, The Panama Canal Will Reduce Daily Transit Traffic To 31 Ships In November

PANAMA – The Panama Canal Authority will reduce the number of ships sailing the interoceanic route daily to 31 from November 1, instead of the current 32, tightening restrictions on the route due to one of the worst droughts that has reduced the extent of the drought Freshwater lakes used for sea crossings.

The company reported in a statement released Saturday that the average number of transits through the canal will be adjusted to 31: nine through the new, larger Neopanamax locks and 22 locks through the old Panamax locks.

Likewise, he stressed that in the 2024 fiscal year, which begins on Sunday, it will continue to work to achieve the maximum performance of the available water resources and will therefore maintain the draft at 44 feet that it has maintained since January, as a year earlier There was a drought observed, instead of 50 in normal times. Authorities have said they will keep the draft at that limit because 70% of ships using the canal require a draft of at least 44 feet.

In addition, as already announced, the number of daily transits will remain between 30 and 32, instead of 38 under normal conditions.

Due to the lack of rain, the canal had to limit shipping traffic, which led to a drop in freshwater levels in Lakes Gatún and Alajuela, essential to the operation of the route and for the consumption of about half of the population.

According to the canal authority, the significant congestion of ships waiting to cross from one ocean to another has currently decreased compared to the month of August, when the traffic restriction began and 163 ships were waiting. So far, 95 ships have lined up to cross the route, which carries just over 5% of global trade.

“Despite the climatic conditions, thanks to efficient management and the commitment of its workforce, the Panama Canal has been able to keep the number of waiting ships at a normal level for the time being,” emphasized the company.