Bangkok: Panama City The Panama Canal Administration has announced plans to restrict the number of ship passages through the Panama Canal starting September 4 as a precautionary measure ahead of an anticipated longer-than-usual El Ni±o event, which is expected to lead to a drop in water levels.

According to Thai News Agency, the new measures will see the Panama Canal reducing the number of ships allowed to transit to 34 per day starting September 4, with a further reduction to 32 per day commencing on September 15. This marks a significant decrease from the previous average of approximately 35 ships per day, with the canal's maximum capacity being around 40 ships per day.

Regulations specify that from September 4, the Neo-Panamax Lock, which accommodates larger vessels, will be restricted to only 9 vessels per day. Meanwhile, the traditional Panamax Lock will initially be limited to 25 vessels per day, with a further reduction to 23 vessels per day on September 15. The Panama Canal Administration has a history of implementing measures to adjust the vessel draft to manage water resources effectively.