Panama Canal considers further ship transit cuts amid worsening drought

The short version

• The Panama Canal Authority lowered daily ship crossings to 34 and scheduled a further drop to 32 by mid-September.[Al Jazeera]
• Canal officials have also decreased the maximum allowed vessel draft from 15.2 metres to 14.6 metres.[Al Jazeera]
• If El Niño intensifies drought conditions, authorities warn daily ship transits could drop to 29 early next year.[Al Jazeera]
• Panama is planning a new reservoir at Rio Indio to address water shortages, though completion will take five to six years.[Al Jazeera]

Key facts

• Daily ship transits through the Panama Canal were lowered to 34 on September 4 and will decrease to 32 on September 15.[Al Jazeera]
• The maximum draft allowed for vessels crossing the canal was decreased from 15.2 metres to 14.6 metres.[Al Jazeera]
• Panama Canal Authority administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta indicated crossings could potentially fall to 29 in February or March.[Al Jazeera]
• A proposed reservoir at Rio Indio is expected to require five to six years to construct.[Al Jazeera]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Panama Canal may cut ship traffic further as El Niño strengthensAl Jazeera