Ports
Panama Canal suspends booking slots amid water-supply concerns and El Niño threat
The Panama Canal Authority will temporarily suspend daily auctions in period three for Panamax-class locks from July 25 due to water-supply challenges and potential El Niño weather patterns. Daily booking capacity will be cut from 36 to 34 vessels. Gatun Lake currently sits at 84.6 feet, projected to decline to 83.8 feet by late September. The US Climate Prediction Center warns this year's El Niño may be one of the strongest in more than 75 years, with at least 70% chance of below-average rainfall from August through November.
