This past October, the Panama Canal experienced its driest month in over 70 years from El Niño weather conditions, which lowered the water levels of the canal and caused the port to decrease their maritime traffic for the last six months. Normal vessel traffic would average 42 transits per day. By February, the transits were cut to just 18 per day. This severely affected ocean freight shipments, causing congestion and delays, and ocean carriers were forced to re-route their U.S. East Coast vessels to the Suez Canal and eventually around The Cape of Good Hope.
Due to recent rainfall, the canal is beginning to see higher water levels from Gatun Lake, which will allow the Panama Canal Authority to increase vessel traffic. We expect to see 35 – 37 transits per day by the end of April. The El Niño weather is predicted to end in coming weeks, bringing rainfall and lower temperatures to the Panama Canal.
This weather change comes at a perfect time, due to the current dangers of shipping through the Suez Canal, and the delays caused by rerouting through the Cape of Good Hope. Based on current projections, we see normal operations hopefully by 2025.
As always, Western Overseas will continue to update our customers on the Panama Canal situation, as well as all ocean transport news.
