The head of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) warned that softer demand for US imports will restrain transit figures at the waterway next year, preventing traffic from returning to levels prior to the 2023/24 drought.
Canal de Panamá Administrator, Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, said the Canal expected to handle an average of 33 transits per day in 2026, below its 36-ship-per-day capacity.
In contrast, Container Ship traffic has reached record highs. AIS-derived data shows all-time peak passage counts through the Panama Canal.
During the first eight full months of 2025, more than 1,920 Container Ships transited in either direction, compared with 1,892 over the same period in 2022.
A combination of factors meant there was virtually no drop in Container Ship traffic during the drought, especially compared with Dry Bulk Carriers.
Priority access granted by the ACP, tight operating schedules, long-term slot bookings, and the high-value, time-sensitive nature of containerized cargo all played a role.
Source: Alphaliner
