Panama Canal Authority officials recently warned that due to the long-term drought caused the water level to drop, is expected at least in the next 10 months to continue to limit the daily transit ship number and maximum draft.

Since late July, in the face of the continuing effects of an unprecedented drought, the Panama Canal Authority has limited the number of ships passing each day to 32, from 36 under normal conditions, and has limited the maximum draft to 44 feet, or 13.41 meters. These measures resulted in a large number of stranded ships at both ends of the canal. A historic drought that has hampered navigation on one of the world's busiest waterways has attracted much attention.

Ilya Espino, administrator of the Panama Canal, said one of the purposes of the extended restrictions was to help maintain water levels until the next rainy season. In short, the restrictions will last for at least 10 months, as well as the first half of next year.

She said, "With the December holiday approaching, it is the peak season and we are currently seeing an increase in transit ships."

In recent, the total number of ships waiting for transit has dropped to 115 from a peak of 165 at the beginning of the month. The Panama Canal is particularly important for container ships, but oil tankers and bulk carriers are also in use.

The Panama Canal, an 82-kilometer waterway that links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is still struggling to cope with the pressures of climate change. The Panama Canal has suffered a drought, with water levels falling sharply due to insufficient rainfall, forcing authorities to take measures to conserve water, including limiting the number of ships using the canal and the draft.

The Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte-Vasquez said that he must adapt to this situation, otherwise "there is only a dead end".

He said: "The biggest disadvantage of the Panama Canal as a sea route is that we use fresh water while other canals use sea water. We have to find other solutions to keep international trade flowing. If we cannot adapt, we will die."

And operators are worried that if the restrictions continue to cause confusion, liner companies will have to start choosing alternative routes.

Source: Shipping Industry