Panama Canal reduces number of ships passing through due to drought

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Cargo ships wait at the entrance of the Panama Canal at Panama Bay off Panama City, September 24, 2023. /CFP

Due to a drought that has limited the amount of fresh water available to run the locks, the Panama Canal stated on Saturday that it will limit the number of ships that can transit the waterway each day to 31 from 32 in August.

During regular operations, there are often 36 to 38 ships every day.

The older Panamax locks will be able to take 22 ships per day, while the newer, larger NeoPanamax locks will be able to carry nine ships per day.

The Canal Authority guaranteed a draft of 44 feet for ships, in part because 70 percent of ships using the waterway need at least that depth.

The canal put in place a rule limiting the number of ships that can pass through its locks each day to 32 in August.

The watershed system of rivers and brooks that fill lakes and whose waters then fill the locks has not received adequate rainfall.

The watershed also provides freshwater to Panama City, which is home to roughly half of the 4 million people who live in the nation.

(With input from AP.)

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