The Panama Canal will oper

On March 20, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) determined that it would take until February 2025 for traffic through the canal to return to normal after a serious water shortage forced authorities to return to normal. Panama is responsible for reducing the number of ships passing through here.

ACP head Ricaurte Vasquez said he hoped the water level in the Panama Canal area would return to normal before February 2025. According to him, the La Nina weather phenomenon, which causes increased rainfall in Central America, will soon replace the El Nino phenomenon, which causes the opposite effects. Mr. Vasquez highlighted signs that a moderate La Niña could begin around next April and increase in intensity next July and August. However, additional rainfall will not create immediate changes to traffic flows because the shipping industry cannot adapt as quickly.

In 2023, ACP has repeatedly adjusted the number of ships allowed to pass through the canal, from 39 ships/day to 32 ships/day and then to 29 ships/day. This interoceanic waterway is the transit point for about 6% of global maritime trade and operates entirely on rainwater.

The Panama Canal was opened in 1914 and uses fresh water to move ships through a system of locks. Each passing ship requires approximately 200 million liters of fresh water, while fresh water is sourced from nearby Gatun and Alhajuela lakes.

According to Panamanian authorities, 2023 will be the second driest year in recorded history in this canal area.