The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has stated that they will reduce the amount of maritime traffic flowing through the canal. This is due to the area having its driest October since records were started in 1950. This may cause an increase in the price of most goods around the world. There are roughly 13,000 to 14,000 ships pass through the Panama Canal each year. They have lowered the amount of ships that pass through each day from 31 to 25. The amount of ships is to be further reduced to 18 ships in February if this rain trend continues.
The lake that feeds the canal’s locks, Gatun Lake, has reached an all-time low. The rainfall-fed lake is still declining. The restrictions in traffic are hopefully enough to conserve the water levels in the lake.
