Over one hundred ships are backed up at the Panama Canal, where low water levels linked to El Niño and climate change have led authorities to restrict travel through one of the world’s most important trade arteries.

Last week the canal’s authorities said they expect to maintain restrictions on daily vessel transit for one year, while some will have to unload cargo before crossing to reduce ‘draft.’

Ships cannot cross the canal without locks that use millions of liters of water from lakes which usually refill with rains but are experiencing drought this year.

Earlier in 2023, the canal’s authority began imposing restrictions, causing a backlog of vessels waiting to pass. To conserve water, canal authorities are limiting the number of ships to 32 per day, down from an average of 36. They’ve also imposed weight restrictions.

The canal is responsible for moving 40% of the world’s cargo ship traffic. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and saves time and billions of dollars by offering ships a shortcut around the tip of South America.

Agencies/Aljazeera