Panama Canal cuts daily transits to 32 as El Niño dries feeder lakes

The Panama Canal is reducing daily ship transits from 36 to 32 by mid-September due to low rainfall and water levels in its feeder lakes, a direct consequence of El Niño. This is an operational adjustment, not a full closure, but it signals potential supply chain delays and higher shipping costs for global trade routes. The extent of further reductions depends on rainfall in the coming weeks.