Vessel Queues Build At The Panama Canal Due To El Niño Event

August 24, 2026

Container ship passing through locks on the Panama Canal

Vessel Queues Build At The Panama Canal Due To El Niño Event

Vessel queues of around 10 days have developed at the Panama Canal as El Niño-related drought lowers water levels in the lake feeding its lock system. Daily transits have already been progressively reduced, with further restrictions expected. Highlighting the growing pressure, one shipowner paid a record $5.3 million at auction this week to jump the queue, compared with an average auction price of just $55,000 before February.

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