15/03/2024

Streamlining Panama Canal Operations:

A 50% Reduction in Ship Queues

In recent months, a significant transformation in seaborne trades in the western hemisphere has resulted in a remarkable 50% reduction in the queue of ships waiting for transit at both ends of the Panama Canal. According to the latest data from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), only 45 ships are currently awaiting transit, contrasting sharply with the historical average since the canal’s expansion in 2016.

This shift is a direct result of strategic measures taken by authorities, including reductions in daily transit numbers and maximum draft. As the original article reports, “The queue of ships waiting at both ends of the Panama Canal stands at just half the historical average since the waterway expanded back in 2016, highlighting the dramatic shift in seaborne trades in the western hemisphere seen in recent months since authorities slashed daily transit numbers as
well as the maximum draft” (Chambers, 2024).

Last August, at the peak of canal congestion, the queue exceeded 160 ships. At that time, the canal administrators announced extended restrictions, prompting the shipping industry to explore alternative routes. For vessels waiting for a northbound trip today, a prolonged is anticipated, with the average queue duration for non-booked northbound vessels standing at 15.1 days. In
contrast, southbound ships experience a shorter waiting period of 3.6 days, as reported by ACP data.
The recent increase in daily transits to 24, facilitated by favorable weather conditions with significant rainfall over the past seven weeks, signifies a positive development for streamlined Panama Canal operations. This adaptation underscores the resilience of the shipping industry in
optimizing routes amid dynamic challenges, ensuring efficient and responsive logistics solutions.

Source: Chambers, S. (2024, January 18). Number of ships waiting for Panama transit slashed in half. Splash247. https://splash247.com/ships-waiting-for-panama-transit-slashed-in-half/

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