El Niño Drought Escalates Panama Canal Transit Cuts

Chronology

1. 21-08-2026
   El Niño Drought Forces Panama Canal Traffic Cuts

   3 articles

   The Panama Canal Authority will reduce daily vessel transits as below-average rainfall and worsening drought deplete the freshwater supplies needed to operate its locks. Beginning in early September 2026, capacity will fall from roughly 36 ships per day to 34, then to 32 on Septe…
2. 15-09-2026
   El Niño Forces Further Panama Canal Traffic Cuts

   3 articles

   Worsening drought associated with the forecast 2026 El Niño is reducing water levels in Lake Gatun, the freshwater reservoir that powers the Panama Canal’s locks. Panama plans to lower average daily vessel transits from 32 in September to 29.5 beginning in October, following earl…