The Authority of Panama Canal (ACP) warned this Wednesday that the crisis facing this interoceanic waterway due to drought “It does not finish”, despite the fact that most of the restrictions on the transit of ships imposed by the lack of water have already been lifted.
“The waterway continues to face the impact of the prolonged dry season that last year limited the capacity for daily transits through the Canal. Despite the arrival of the rainy season, the water problem of Panama and its Canal does not end“, reported the ACP in a statement.
“The water crisis is a reminder that climate change and its effects are a reality that requires immediate attention and concrete actions”, added the operator.
Unlike other routes such as the Suez Canal, the Panamanian route, through which 6% of world maritime trade passes, works with rainwater obtained from the artificial lakes Gatún and Alhajuela.
In 2023, the Panama Canal was seriously affected by drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
The situation forced the waterway, whose main users are the United States, China and Japan, to reduce daily ship crossings and limit the draft of ships, which led to less transit of goods.
The number of vessels went from a daily average of up to 38 vessels to 22, while the draft was reduced from 15.2 meters (50 feet) to 13.4 meters (44 feet).
Due to increased rainfall, the canal has been increasing traffic and draft since then.
This Wednesday, the ACP announced that starting August 5, a maximum of 35 ships will be able to pass through each day, while the draft will be expanded to 14.6 meters (48 feet) starting July 11.
To avoid new crises, the ACP, an autonomous government entity, warned about the need to “identify alternative water sources” and develop projects for its storage.
The canal authority wants to build a dam on Río Indio, west of the road, which would allow an increase of up to 16 daily lockages.
However, the project would affect more than 2,000 inhabitants of the sector and requires legal reforms or the approval of the new government that will take office on July 1.
In fiscal year 2023, 511 million tons of cargo transited through the Panamanian route, generating US$3,344 million in income.
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Source: Gestion
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