A severe drought is posing a serious threat to shipping activities along the crucial Panama Canal, an essential conduit responsible for facilitating 40% of the world’s cargo ship traffic.

Notably, around two-thirds of the canal’s maritime traffic either originates from or is destined for the United States.

Functioning as a pivotal link connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal has gained renown for its remarkable ability to save substantial time and billions of dollars by providing ships with a shortcut around the southern tip of South America.

However, the operability of the Panama Canal system hinges upon maintaining adequate water levels in its associated lakes, which are currently hovering “close to the minimum,” according to Boris Moreno, the Vice President of Operations for the canal.

The region encompassing the canal has been grappling with an unprecedented dry spell, resulting in a noteworthy reduction in water levels within the canal, CBS News reported.

Given the canal’s reliance on fresh water for its operations, this situation has disrupted its daily functioning.

The regular volume of vessels transiting through has decreased from 36 to 32 per day, causing both delays and congestion in maritime traffic.

Moreover, due to the lower water levels, certain ships are now compelled to carry up to 40% less cargo to prevent grounding in shallow waters.

Written by staff