00:00The Panama Canal Authority will begin limiting daily vessel transits in early September
00:05as a prolonged El Nino season is expected to reduce water levels.
00:10The move reverses an earlier pledge to avoid restrictions this year.
00:15Daily transits will fall to 34 vessels from September 4th
00:19before being reduced further to 32 vessels from September 15th.
00:24The canal averaged 35 daily transits through June 2026,
00:28which was enough to meet demand despite a maximum capacity of about 40 crossings.
00:34Authorities have warned that a severe El Nino season could bring less rainfall
00:38and threaten both canal operations and water supplies for nearby communities.
00:44The restrictions come as two other major global shipping routes face disruption,
00:49adding further pressure to international trade and transport networks.
00:53Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply due to the Ruan war,
00:57while disruption at Barb El-Mandeb continues to affect the Red Sea to Suez route.
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