Panama Canal to Reduce Daily Transits as Drought Lowers Water Inflows

The Panama Canal Authority will reduce daily vessel transits from 38 to 34 starting Sept. 3, then to 32 from Sept. 15, as drought conditions continue to affect water supplies in Panama, according to research provided for the announcement.

Rainfall in the canal basin has been 34% below the historical average since May 2026, while inflows into the basin have dropped 44%. The figures were provided without additional source metadata, and the research packet did not specify how long the transit limits will remain in place.

The reductions will apply in two stages. The first change, beginning Sept. 3, lowers the daily total by four vessels from the current level of 38. The second, scheduled for Sept. 15, lowers it by a further two vessels to 32 per day.

The Panama Canal is a major maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Panama. Approximately 5% of global maritime traffic passes through the canal, according to the research packet.

The packet identified El Niño among the entities associated with the report but did not provide further details about its role in the current conditions. It also did not identify specific vessel categories, routes or industries that may be affected by the revised daily transit totals.