Ship backlog at drought-hit Panama Canal

A drought affecting the Panama Canal has resulted in a backlog of more than 200 ships, with vessels waiting weeks to cross after the authorities reduced transits in a bid to conserve water


Ship crossings
Reduced to 32 per day, down from average of 36 during normal conditions

Draft limitations
Maximum draft level – distance between waterline and bottom of ship – reduced from 15.24m to 13.41m

Canal revenue
Restrictions could lead to loss of $200 million in next fiscal year

Wait to enter canal is roughly 20 days. Some ship owners are seeking alternative routes while others pay surcharges that will, in turn, increase cost of goods they are transporting


Areas of waiting ships
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Gatun Locks
Colón
Lake Alajuela
PANAMA
Pedro Miguel Locks
Panama Canal
Gatun Lake
Miraflores Locks
Panama City
Pan-American Highway
PACIFIC OCEAN
20km 12.5 miles


Sources: Futurism, Reuters, VesselFinder
Picture: Marine Insight
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