Panama Canal to Restrict Daily Transits From September Amid El Niño Drought

The canal had registered an average of 35 daily transits through June 2026, corresponding to vessel demand, with the capacity to handle around 40 crossings per day. In May, canal authorities said the waterway was not planning vessel passage restrictions this year, and had already been taking water conservation measures since 2025. According to an advisory issued Thursday, daily capacity as of Sept. 4 at the canal's Neopanamax locks will be capped at nine slots, while capacity at the older Panamax locks will be limited to 25 slots.

As of Sept. 15, capacity at the Panamax locks will be further reduced to 23 slots. The canal authority had previously tightened draft limits several times as part of its water management strategy. The authority also disclosed that rainfall from May through August was 34% below the historical average, while watershed inflows plummeted 44% below normal.