El Niño Leads to Panama Canal Transit Limits
The Panama Canal has imposed new restrictions on vessel transits due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to lead to lower water levels and impact the sustainability of the waterway. As of September 2023, the canal will limit the number of daily transits to a maximum of between 32 and 34 ships, compared to an average of 35 ships before, with a capacity of up to 40 ships. These measures come amid forecasts that the El Niño event will persist, potentially reducing rainfall by 34% and decreasing water flows by 44%, threatening the region’s long-term water supply. The authority announced that it has been in contact with the international community since 2025 to maintain water levels, but current climate changes necessitate new measures to address the expected impacts of El Niño between 2026 and 2027.
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