Panama Canal Transit Restriction

Dear Member,
In the letter sent to our Chamber by TOBB, with reference to the letter of the Ministry of Trade dated 07.11.2023 and numbered E-68460249-458.99-00090655012, it was stated that ship traffic has been disrupted in the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and through which approximately 6% of world trade passes, owing to the decline in sea and lake water levels in Panama, which has received less rainfall than expected due to global warming.

In a letter received from the Commercial Counsellor's Office in Panama, it was shared that, after the number of ships passing through the canal, through which an average of 39 ships pass per day, was reduced to 36, 35 and finally 31 in July, August and September, the latest statement made by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that, in order to save water, ship transits will again be gradually reduced as of 3 November 2023 and that, as the Canal is experiencing its driest period for the first time since 1950, the transit of 25 ships per day will be permitted between 3-7 November 2023 and of 24 ships between 8-30 November 2023.

In this framework, it was emphasised that it is important for ships that will use the Canal to check the "transit reservation system" (https://pancanal.com/en/transitreservation-system/), and that our companies need to take into account the possibility that restrictions relating to the situation may be increased during the drought period, which is likely to continue in the Panama Canal.

I kindly request your information, and that companies using the Panama Canal for the supply of products and raw materials and your members engaged in logistics and freight
transport contact our Commercial Counsellor's Office ([email protected]) for additional information.

Kind regards,
Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry