SEACORPNC’s Post

As the dry season comes to an end, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is adapting its operations to the changing climate conditions. According to forecasts, the ACP is optimistic that steady rainfall will arrive by late April and persist for several months. With these projections in mind, the ACP is planning to gradually ease transit restrictions and aims to fully normalize operations by 2025. Find out more about the ACP's plans here: https://lnkd.in/eM552Nne #panamacanal #supplychain #oceanfreight #shipping gCaptain

When it comes to #logistics  on the largest scale, the recent drought in the Panama Canal region and resulting lower water levels is certainly cause for concern. This article from American Journal of Transportation provides good info on the current situation. https://lnkd.in/g2_RdNat

Increased rainfall has helped restore near-normal operations on the Panama Canal, easing the restrictions that were previously impacting global shipping routes. However, capacity limits remain, and the situation highlights ongoing concerns about water levels and their impact on canal traffic. https://okt.to/jM2AWg

Panama Canal Averts Shipping Crisis with Water Management The Panama Canal has successfully averted a potential shipping crisis through careful water management. Here are the key points: - Water Management: The Panama Canal Authority has implemented water-saving measures, such as cross-filling and reducing daily transits. - Increased Water Levels: Recent rains have raised water levels, allowing the limit of ships that can cross to increase to 34 per day. - End of El Niño: The end of the El Niño weather phenomenon has brought more rain, improving canal conditions. - Projected Recovery: If the current rainfall continues, the canal could return to full capacity by 2025. - Economic Importance: The canal manages about 3% of global maritime trade, crucial for container traffic from Asia to the U.S. - Benefits for Exporters: The easing of restrictions has benefited fruit exporters in Chile and liquefied natural gas exporters. Long-term Measures The Canal Authority is exploring long-term projects to increase its water supply, including the construction of additional reservoirs. These measures aim to ensure the canal's capacity in the future against potential droughts. The canal has presented proposals to the incoming government to potentially expand the canal's property limits or remove restrictions that prevent the construction of new reservoirs. The president-elect, José Raúl Mulino, has indicated that addressing the water issue will be one of his priorities. https://lnkd.in/ehHBG7Bk

This article shows many interesting connections that highlight the water scarcity crisis. What do a potential shipping crisis, water shortages and the Panama Canal have in common? Read below to find out! https://lnkd.in/gmiUZ7nm #ECLTEAM #watermanagement #waterconservation #watercrisis

Droughts are already altering the world's trade flows, whereas last year checkpoints were created on the Mississippi River in the US & Rhine in Europe. Last year the queue at the Panama Canal was long due low water levels, whereas many shipping companies paid millions of dollars to avoid the queue & pass on a priority basis. The Canal has avoided the worst of a shipping crunch that threatened to mess the global economy, but at a cost to marine life & the Latin American country's supplies of drinking water. So far this year Panama has had around two-thirds of its normal rainfall. The canal is also looking at investing more rain water collection in order to meet expectations of the population, shippers & local industries. The Panama Canal handles: ➡ Approximately 3% of the world's maritime trade volumes ➡ 46% of containers moving from Northeast Asia to the US East Coast Last year was the warmest on record which led to a drought & with El Nino fading rain is expected by April or May. Before the drought period the Canal allowed up to 38 vessels to transit per day. At the moment it allows 24 vessels to transit & by end of March 27 vessels are expected to transit. It is difficult to predict the climate, because some researchers state El Nino's full effects may take place this year. And this might be the warmest on record breaking last year's record. According to Copernicus ECMWF, last February was 1.77°C warmer than the estimated average for February for the period 1850-1900 aka pre-industrial period. It seems a bit too early to predict the rainfall for April or May, as we might have to wait & see. The shipping industry will have chaos with climate change if droughts persist throughout this year. #panamacanal #watercrisis #sustainability #maritimeindustry #macroeconomics #shippingnews #elnino #supplychain

The Panama Canal has averted a shipping crisis through careful water management and a stroke of luck. During last year's severe drought in Central America, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the daily vessel crossing to 22, roughly 60% of the usual number. Recently, with water levels on the rise, the authority has begun increasing this limit. Forecasts predict consistent rainfall over the next few months, and if this trend continues, the canal plans to gradually lift restrictions, aiming for full normalization by 2025. https://lnkd.in/ex-rBxE9

Prompt: "write me an article about the efforts to drought-proof the Panama Canal Response: "Panama Canal Battles Drought: A Lifeline for Global Trade The Panama Canal, a vital artery for global trade, is facing an unprecedented challenge: drought. Declining water levels in Gatun Lake, the primary water source for the canal's operations, have forced authorities to impose restrictions on ship traffic, causing delays and disruptions to supply chains worldwide. As climate change intensifies, the need to drought-proof this critical infrastructure has become more urgent than ever.  The Impact of Drought The combination of El Niño and climate change has exacerbated the drought conditions in Panama. The resulting lower water levels have reduced the canal's capacity, leading to longer waiting times for ships and increased costs for businesses. The economic implications are far-reaching, affecting industries from agriculture to manufacturing.  Efforts to Secure the Canal's Future To address this pressing issue, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has initiated several strategies: Water Conservation Measures: Implementing strict water-saving measures within the canal's operations, including optimizing water usage in locks and reducing water evaporation from the lake's surface.  Infrastructure Upgrades: Investing in infrastructure improvements to enhance water management efficiency, such as upgrading pumps and optimizing water distribution systems. Dredging Operations: Deepening certain sections of the canal to accommodate larger ships, even during periods of low water levels. Alternative Water Sources: Exploring potential alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting and desalination, to supplement the supply from Gatun Lake. Long-Term Planning: Collaborating with experts, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, to develop comprehensive long-term plans to ensure the canal's resilience to future climate challenges.  A Global Challenge The Panama Canal's vulnerability to drought highlights the broader issue of climate change's impact on critical infrastructure worldwide. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, it is imperative for nations to invest in climate adaptation measures to protect vital transportation corridors and supply chains.  The success of the Panama Canal's drought-proofing efforts will serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. By prioritizing water conservation, infrastructure upgrades, and innovative solutions, it is possible to build a more resilient future for global trade." https://lnkd.in/dh2ArdSQ? This article, written by Gemini AI, has not been edited or checked for accuracy #panama #panamacanal #globalshipping #straitofmagellan #internationalshipping #shippingbottleneck #drought #climatechange #lakegatun #centralamerica #tradecooperation #globaltrade #internationaltrade

Panama Canal suffering from drought and freight transits are said be cut by 50% due to lack of water to feed into its lock system. This is another aspect of food shortages we didn't even consider: even if the food is there, it can't reach us. Suez is also suffering. What then...? #foodsupply #transport #globalwarming #climatecrisis #rainfall ttps://https://lnkd.in/epbmm5W9

The Panama Canal's Looming Water Crisis: The world's most important maritime chokepoint is facing a severe challenge. Prolonged drought has caused water levels in the Panama Canal's reservoirs to plummet, forcing the canal authorities to impose strict restrictions on ship transits. The situation is dire - the water level in Gatun Lake, the main reservoir, has reached record lows. This has led to weight restrictions on ships, forcing them to reduce cargo loads to avoid running aground in the shallower water. The backlog of vessels waiting to cross has grown to around 115 ships, with waiting times now up to 11 days on average. Major shipping companies have started rerouting cargo away from the canal, opting for longer but more reliable routes. (Which add distance, fuel, cost, time, and emissions) As rainfall patterns become less predictable, the canal's reliance on freshwater reservoirs puts it at risk of future disruptions, with far-reaching consequences for the global economy. #PanamaCanal #GlobalTrade #ClimateChange #Infrastructure #Supplychain