Panama Canal to cap daily transits, anticipating severe El Niño

The Panama Canal Authority will cap daily transits as of early September as it gears up for a longer-than-usual El Niño season expected to reduce water

levels, it said on Thursday, walking back a previous pledge to not limit vessel passage.



Under the new measures, the canal will limit daily transits as of September 4 to 34 vessels, and reduce the number to 32 as of September 15.



The canal had registered an average of 35 daily transits through June 2026, corresponding to vessel demand, with the capacity to handle around 40 crossings per day.



In May, canal authorities told Reuters that the waterway was not planning vessel passage restrictions this year, and had already been taking water conservation measures since 2025.



According to an advisory issued Thursday, daily capacity as of September 4 at the canal's Neopanamax locks will be capped at nine slots, while capacity at the older Panamax locks will be limited to 25 slots.