Infrastructure & Transport
Panama Canal may cut crossings again over El Nino
The Panama Canal may reduce daily ship crossings again if drought linked to El Nino continues, administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta told AFP after taking over the waterway on September 7.
The canal, which handles about 5% of global maritime trade, has already cut the daily maximum from 36 last month to 32 by mid-September. Espino de Marotta said the limit could be lowered in February or March to about 29 slots a day, though she said she did not expect a return to the 2023 low of 22 daily transits.
The canal uses rainwater stored in two reservoirs to operate its locks. Reservoir levels have fallen with El Nino, and Panama has declared a national emergency over the weather pattern. Each ship needs about 200 million litres of water, which is then released into the sea.
Authorities have also reduced the maximum permitted draft for ships from 15.2 metres to 14.6 metres. The draft limit determines how deeply loaded a vessel can sit in the water while passing safely.
Traffic pressure has increased as shippers seek alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping is at a standstill. The United States and China are the main users of the canal, which carries around 40% of US container traffic.
Update
Panama has declared a nationwide emergency over El Nino.
Each ship crossing requires about 200 million litres of water, which is discharged into the sea.
Traffic through the canal has risen as shippers seek alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping is at a standstill.
The canal carries around 40% of US container traffic.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 19:04:53 UTC.
Update
Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta said the daily transit limit could be lowered in February or March, possibly to about 29 slots per day.
Officials said 34 vessels were allowed through last Friday and the limit will drop to 32 from September 15.
The maximum draft is being gradually reduced from 15.2 metres to 14.6 metres.
Espino de Marotta is the first woman to head the canal.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 14:50:41 UTC.
Update
Ilya Espino de Marotta, who took over as Panama Canal administrator on Monday, said she does not rule out further measures if the drought continues.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 13:56:53 UTC.
Update
The Panama Canal said it was not ruling out new transit restrictions because of El Nino.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 13:33:06 UTC.
Update
The Panama Canal began reducing daily ship crossings on Friday.
The Panama Canal Authority said low water levels in the two artificial lakes that feed the canal forced the action.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 23:34:32 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Any further reduction depends on whether the drought eases.
The exact scale and timing of any new transit limit have not been decided.
Source
AFP news report published on .