As per reports, the Panama Canal Authority announced on Thursday (20 August) that daily vessel transits through the Panama Canal are scheduled to decrease from 36 to 34 from 03 September, due to lower than forecast rainfall in the canal watershed.

• Reports indicate that daily transits are scheduled to decrease further to 32 from 15 September, with the Panama Canal Authority citing water conservation requirements linked to drought conditions fuelled by the El Niño phenomenon.
• The Panama Canal relies on rainwater collected in two artificial lakes, while the authority has already implemented water conservation measures, including restrictions on the maximum draught of larger vessels.
• The Panama Canal handles approximately five percent of global maritime trade and around 40 percent of US container traffic.