“Panama Canal to halve daily sailings this winter due to drought”

[Turtles06]

 

“Panama Canal officials will cut available slots for ship transits by half this winter as extreme drought leaves the man-made waterway lacking enough water.  

The changes come after Panama Canal experienced its driest October on record, continuing a monthslong spell of warmer temperatures and low rainfall. Officials have already restricted traffic on the waterway, which handles around 7% of global seaborne trade.

The canal administration said daily reservation slots will be cut to 25 this month, 22 in December, 20 in January and 18 in February. Last month the canal had 32 daily transits. The waterway can normally handle an average of 40 transits a day.”

 

The point is made that this will most affect ships without advance reservations. 

 

(I’ve shared the full article through what should be a free link, so I hope you can open it) 

 

https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/panama-canal-to-halve-daily-sailings-this-winter-due-to-drought-3bd70c79?st=o80w0aj6ogeatam&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

 

 

[nansi]

Since the cruise lines have advanced reservations, it shouldn't affect them (hopefully).

[BillB48]

The cruise lines should be unaffected by any of the reductions in available reservations.  Cruise lines are actually treated a little more favorably when making reservations as they have a window up to two years in which to make a reservation.  On the other hand all other ships only can make reservations up to one year out.