Panama Canal Faces Further Ship Traffic Reductions Amid Water Shortages

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the head of the Panama Canal Authority, Ilya Espino de Marotta, has issued a warning that the ongoing water shortage may compel the canal to implement further limitations on ship traffic.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Espino de Marotta indicated that the number of daily transits through the Panama Canal could be reduced from 32 vessels to 27. He also noted that two major canal projects, including the construction of a $1.6 billion water reservoir and a gas pipeline, could also face risks due to the water situation.

Espino de Marotta elaborated that droughts resulting from climate change have led to the canal experiencing water shortages approximately every three years. In 2023, this issue caused the number of daily ship passages to temporarily fall to a historic low of 22 vessels.