The Panama Canal Authority is escalating measures to combat a severe drought intensified by El Nino, necessitating additional vessel reductions. Starting Friday, daily transits will decrease from 29 to 25 ships, further dropping to 18 ships a day by February, and this constitutes a 40%-50% cut from full capacity. Under normal conditions, 34-36 vessels traversed the canal daily, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
The drought, coupled with vessel reductions, is disrupting global trade flows, impacting shipping containers to the U.S. East Coast. The Port of Charleston is particularly affected, with delays reported. Shippers, recognizing the canal’s efficiency for East Coast trade, now face challenges, considering alternative routes such as the Suez Canal.
Captain Adil Ashiq of MarineTraffic warns of increased idle cargo risks due to reduced transit schedules on both sides of the canal. As reported by MarineTraffic, wait times have surged, impacting shippers’ plans and leading to a consideration of alternative routes.
The crisis extends its reach across various sectors, affecting the transport of crucial items like coal and LNG. The delay in shipping agricultural products from and to the U.S. amplifies the global impact.
Containerships, prioritized in canal crossings, see reduced transit opportunities, impacting wet and dry bulk vessels significantly. The crisis might prompt a shift in Transpacific freight bookings, considering the Suez Canal and given geopolitical considerations, notes Paul Brashier of ITS Logistics.
Amid an economic downturn, including Maersk‘s massive layoffs and a freight recession, the Panama Canal faces its worst El Nino on record. Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales emphasizes water conservation efforts, aiming to maintain current vessel weight requirements despite further transit reductions.
The environmental toll is evident, with the canal, responsible for 40% of annual U.S. container traffic ($270 billion in cargo), grappling with unprecedented challenges in this critical trade artery. As the Panama Canal confronts this multifaceted crisis, the global shipping industry anticipates significant disruptions and a potential reshaping of supply chain dynamics.