Happy Tuesday!
Well, you know we love to give an
update on our previous blogs, so when it is good news, we can’t resist! We blogged about the Panama Canal back in
February, and how they were implementing changes and strategies due to the
drought and climate change and investing in the future, and the La Niña
which is expected later this month has made a difference.
Did anyone
happen to read gCaptain Daily Newsletter on April 12, 2024, their
article titled, “Panama Canal Plans to Normalize by 2025, Weather Permitting”? The article speaks in regard to the Panama
Canal Authority (ACP) is increasing the number of slots passing through the canal
by 3, so at the end of March they had 27 vessels traveling through. The ACP had implemented water reduction programs
and an Operational Water Strategy, and their efforts paid off. If the rainfall comes at the end of April from
La Niña
as expected, they will slowly ease up the restrictions on number of vessels and
normalize to 36 a day and increase the size of the draft to a 50-foot max by 2025. The reverse could happen, if La Niña
doesn’t bring the heavy rains expected. The
ACP is looking into the future, and has implemented strategies to help now, in
addition to the future with their water reduction programs and strategies. They are looking beyond the Panama Canal
Watershed and Gatun Lake to find permanent changes and have proposed to construct
a new reservoir through the proper government channels and are awaiting decisions. La Niña brings the promise of more rainfall, and
their water reduction programs things may return to normal for this important waterway
and we may end up having a good year after all. If you would like to read more of gCaptain’s
article, please click the link: Panama Canal Plans to Normalize by 2025, Weather Permitting (gcaptain.com).
If you would
like help in looking into how to update your terminal and docks, contact us via
email in the blog and check out our ESC's website for contact
information!
We hope you have a wonderful evening, and a great rest of
your week!
**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the gCaptain’s
article. **