Panama Canal to limit shipping ahead of extreme weather during El Nino

The El Nino weather phenomenon is expected to increase the likelihood of drought and excess heat across the region.Published On 21 Aug 202621 Aug 2026The Panama Canal is expected to limit traffic starting in early September, as it prepares for lower water levels due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.On Thursday, the Panama Canal Authority, the body that oversees the waterway, announced that daily transit caps would be set to address concerns about the drier weather conditions ahead.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Turbulent and dangerous’: How shipping is the new global battlegroundlist 2 of 3Hegseth cautions that ICC may investigate US boat strikes in Latin Americalist 3 of 3Are ships passing Hormuz more willing to defy Iran or US? What data showsend of listUnder the new measures, 34 vessels will be permitted to sail through the canal as of September 4. A further reduction will start on September 15, when the limit will be 32 ships.The travel restrictions are a reversal for the Panama Canal Authority. Officials told the news service Reuters in May that they had no plans to limit crossings this year, citing water conservation measures imposed last year.The canal, whic...