El Niño causes Panama Canal cutback
The article concerns the Panama Canal Authority's decision to impose a maximum limit on the number of ship transits during the upcoming El Niño period, which is expected to be exceptional due to the declining water levels in the two saltwater lakes that the canal depends on. Starting in early September, the daily transits will be limited to 34 ships, then reduced to 32 ships from September 15 onward, as rainfall has decreased by 34% and water flows by 44% since May. This measure follows a decline in the average number of transits to 35 ships per day, with a capacity of up to 40 ships. The sustainability challenges of this waterway are anticipated to intensify as the El Niño phenomenon approaches an exceptional level, continuing its impact on water supplies and maritime trade performance through the canal, which handles approximately 5% of global trade, especially between the United States and China.
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