Panama Canal to cut daily ship traffic as drought worsens from El Nino

The Panama Canal Authority announced on Thursday that daily vessel traffic through the strategic waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans will be restricted starting September 3. The measure is being implemented due to a severe drought fueled by the El Nino phenomenon, which has depleted water supplies essential for operating the route.

The restrictions will be rolled out in phases, initially reducing crossings from the current 36 ships per day to 34, and subsequently lowering the limit further to 32 ships per day beginning September 1.