Related to the El Ni ñ o phenomenon, over 160 ships are queuing up in a long line and blocking the ship again! Depth near the mouth of Panama Canal | Panama Canal Authority | El Ni ñ o
Due to the ongoing drought, the Panama Canal Authority has recently introduced more travel restrictions, including temporary restrictions on the number of applications for new reserved passage. The new travel restrictions will continue until at least the 21st of this month.
It is reported that the Panama Canal Authority announced the newly introduced traffic restrictions to canal users on the 8th of this month. The new measures stipulate that in the old canal locks used for the passage of smaller ships, the daily booking limit for vessels will be reduced from 16 to 14, allowing for the passage of vessels without prior booking. The number of appointments for the largest ship lock remains unchanged. The Canal Management Bureau stated that this measure is aimed at alleviating canal congestion. It is understood that as of the 10th of this month, there are 161 cargo ships queuing up near the mouth of the Panama Canal, far exceeding the usual situation of about 90 cargo ships queuing up during the rainy season.
The Panama Canal is approximately 80 kilometers long, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and is an important waterway for global trade. The canal uses a lock system to lift ships from sea level to Lake Gaton in the middle of the canal, allowing them to pass through the river between the central mountains of Panama. Every time the ship is lifted or lowered at the lock, a large amount of fresh water needs to be extracted from Lake Katong.
Since the beginning of this year, due to the prolonged drought caused by the El Ni ñ o phenomenon, the Panama Canal Authority has been restricting the maximum draft and maximum number of ships passing through to alleviate water supply pressure. However, despite the arrival of the rainy season in Panama, the strengthening of the El Ni ñ o phenomenon not only resulted in the rainy season being later than usual, but also a significant decrease in rainfall compared to usual. The hot weather has further increased evaporation, causing the Panama Canal to face more severe water scarcity. The Panama Canal Authority announced in mid July that the water level in Lake Gaton had dropped to 24.26 meters, approaching the lowest design water level of 22.86 meters.
Meteorological and hydrological expert Murillo from the Panama Canal Authority: It is expected that the El Ni ñ o phenomenon will further strengthen by the end of this year, so the outlook for the Panama Canal is very bleak.