El Niño lovește una dintre cele mai importante rute comerciale din lume. Canalul Panama reduce drastic traficul

The ongoing drought caused by El Niño is forcing Panama to further reduce the number of ships allowed to transit the canal, a crucial global trade route. In September, daily crossings were cut from 36 to 32, and a new proposal aims to lower this to 29.5 by October, an 18% decrease from August. The Panama Canal, which connects the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, is vital for international shipping, handling about 5% of global maritime trade. The drought has led to lower water levels, prompting authorities to limit ship sizes and numbers for safety and water conservation. The situation is exacerbated by El Niño's expected intensification, which could be the strongest in four decades, affecting Central America and northern South America. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and previous drought-related restrictions have already caused significant delays and increased costs for shipping companies.