The Panama Canal Authority has revised its reductions in transits, as rainfall has recharged the water reservoir system.  On December 15, it announced that number of daily transits will increase to 24 as of January 16, 2024.

Currently, 22 vessels transit daily, divided into six neopanamaxes and 16 panamaxes as a restriction measure due to the water low levels of Gatun Lake, provoked by the drought caused by El Niño. While this news is an improvement, it’s still below the normal 36 transits per day.

October 2023 was the driest month on record since 1950.  And the decision to reduce transits was the first ever in the history of the canal.

The Panama Canal is a crucial transit point for not only fresh produce but packaging materials.

Source: Seatrade-Maritime.com  December 18, 2023 posting