Vessel wait times at Panama Canal increased more than 40% in August

The average wait time for non-booked vessels at the Panama Canal increased significantly last month due to a prolonged drought. Restrictions on daily transits and ship drafts were imposed to conserve water, resulting in longer waiting times for ships. The backlog of ships has eased slightly, but the restrictions are expected to last for at least 10 more months. While there has been a slight increase in rainfall, it is not enough to raise water levels in the canal. Experts predict that the low water levels will persist for the foreseeable future.

Sep 2, 2023 - 07:30
Vessel wait times at Panama Canal increased more than 40% in August
The average wait time for non-booked vessels at the Panama Canal increased significantly last month due to a prolonged drought. Restrictions on daily transits and ship drafts were imposed to conserve water, resulting in longer waiting times for ships. The backlog of ships has eased slightly, but the restrictions are expected to last for at least 10 more months. While there has been a slight increase in rainfall, it is not enough to raise water levels in the canal. Experts predict that the low water levels will persist for the foreseeable future.