Due to the influence of El Nino, the water level in Panama is getting lower and lower, many measures must be taken to ensure circulation.
According to Reuters, on April 22, the manager of the Panama Canal said the canal would expand restrictions on ships with large tonnage passing through, citing the fact that the water here is shallower due to drought.
Panama is one of the busiest canals in the world.
The measure follows a series of restrictions on the canal's water depth since the start of the year due to drought. Managers hope the situation will improve with the start of the rainy season in Panama.
The flow of the cargo ship, including tankers passing through the Panama Canal to reach the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific accounting for about 3.5% of global trade.
The previous maximum draft limit was 13.4m.
According to sources from Reuters, Panamax ships using the canal's old locks will also face tighter restrictions from July 9.
There will be new restrictions from July 19 for both types of neo-Panamax and Panamax vessels.
According to port administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, the measures to be applied on July 19 will depend on the amount of rain falling into the lake system surrounding the canal. However, this person is also concerned about the current lack of rain and that the canal basin area must also provide drinking water for local residents.
El Niño, a cyclical weather phenomenon, is causing severe drought along the Pacific coast.
Despite the tonnage restrictions, Vasquez said ship flows through the canal have so far met expectations.
However, he also warned that the impact depends on rainfall and that travel costs could be higher due to the new restrictions.
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