Web Alert: Panama Canal anticipates El Niño draft restrictions

The Panama Canal Authority has warned of possible draft restrictions from April 2016 following the unusually dry season brought about by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The restrictions could prevent ships from loading to their full capacity. It has been reported that any restrictions will be announced around five weeks before their implementation in order to allow ships to comply with the new draft regulations.

New larger locks are currently in their final stage of completion and are expected to be opened within the next few months.