Asia-US container rates rise, tanker rates ex-USG steady; Panama Canal lowers draft limits
After publishing: 4 URLs changed4 changes
- Der Spiegel (Germany)seen 23 Aug, 05:34URL changed
now resolves towww.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/panamakanal-zu-wenig-regen-schiffsverkehr-wird-reduziert-a-70cb3168-9a6f-4567-acc8-d080cf6c6f66#ref=rss
- DW Top Storiesseen 23 Aug, 09:50URL changed
now resolves towww.dw.com/en/panama-canal-el-nino/a-78453054?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Die Zeit (Germany)seen 31 Aug, 03:54URL changed
now resolves towww.zeit.de/wissenschaft/umwelt/2026-08/duerre-zentralamerika-el-nino-panama-honduras-el-salvador-gxe
- Die Zeit (Germany)seen 31 Aug, 18:40URL changed
now resolves towww.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2026-08/panama-kanal-durchfahrt-trockenheit-el-nino-gxe
What it is about
Who published it, and when
+ 15 more outlets
How it spread - 50 original reports, 3 reprints
Sun, 9 August 2026
1 report- hellenicshippingnews.com22:45first to report
Wed, 12 August 2026
1 report- The Guardian World12:26
Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping lane Business live – latest updates Commercial ships travelling through the Panama canal are facing a rise in costs amid disruption triggered by the Iran war and falling water levels linked to this year’s intense El Niño weather system . Highlighting the fragility of global trade, a container ship reportedly paid about $4m (£3m) to jump a queue of vessels waiting to pass through the vital...
Thu, 13 August 2026
2 reports- wwd.com02:30
A $4 million Panama Canal slot bid highlights mounting congestion as draft restrictions tighten and an expected strong El Niño threatens water levels.
- iDNES (Czechia)10:26
Obchodní lodě proplouvající Panamským průplavem čelí nárůstu nákladů. Může za to jak narušení lodní dopravy způsobené válkou v Íránu, tak i klesající hladiny moří související s letošním intenzivním klimatickým jevem El Niño. Očekává se, že ustupující hladina vody související s tímto meteorologickým jevem omezí počet časových slotů pro cestu touto důležitou plavební dráhou.
Fri, 14 August 2026
2 reports- Anadolu Agency (AA)13:31
Data shows waterway connects 180 maritime routes and 1,920 ports, serves 170 countries and handled 13,404 transits in 2025
- krcu.org21:22
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, pressure on the Panama Canal has increased. And combined with lower water levels, transit prices through the canal are soaring.
1 reprint
- capeandislands.org14 Aug, 21:22their copy
Sat, 15 August 2026
1 report- ibtimes.com.au15:07
The G. Arete tanker paid a record $4.6 million to bypass Panama Canal congestion, highlighting how Iran conflict and El Niño conditions are disrupting global shipping routes.
Thu, 20 August 2026
2 reports- The Hill13:30
China has retaliated against Panama by increasing inspections and detentions of Panamanian-flagged ships after the Panamanian Supreme Court struck down concessions held by a Hong Kong-based company at the entrance terminals of the Panama Canal.
- Channel News Asia23:37
Fri, 21 August 2026
17 reports- Die Zeit (Germany)00:21
- Die Zeit (Germany)00:25
In Panama ist es wegen des besonders starken El Niño in diesem Jahr zu trocken. Durch den Panamakanal dürfen deshalb bald nicht mehr so viele Schiffe fahren.
- Al Jazeera English01:12
The El Nino weather phenomenon is expected to increase the likelihood of drought and excess heat across the region.
- Der Spiegel (Germany)02:27
URL changednow www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/panamakanal-zu-wenig-regen-schiffsverkehr-wird-reduziert-a-70cb3168-9a6f-4567-acc8-d080cf6c6f66#ref=rss
Eigentlich herrscht in Panama Regenzeit. Doch die Niederschläge fallen zu niedrig aus – mit Konsequenzen für die Schifffahrt im Kanal zwischen Atlantik und Pazifik. Das Problem dürfte sich noch verschärfen.
- Le Monde (France)02:48
La voie maritime dépend des réserves d’eau douce stockées dans les lacs artificiels de Gatun et d’Alajuela pour alimenter ses écluses. Le déficit de précipitations enregistré depuis plusieurs mois entraîne une baisse de leur niveau.
- Le Monde English03:06
From September 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34 due to low water levels in two artificial lakes that feed the canal, the Panama Canal Authority said on Thursday. It will drop to 32 from September 15 on.
2 reprints
- South China Morning Post22 Aug, 23:11their copy
- repeatingislands.com23 Aug, 20:45their copy
- Japan Times03:36
From Sept. 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34, before dropping further to 32 from Sept. 15 onward.
- Tagesschau (Germany)05:27
Trotz Regenzeit ist es ungewöhnlich trocken in Panama. Das hat nun auch Konsequenzen für die Schifffahrt: Ab kommendem Monat wird die Zahl der Schiffspassagen durch den Panamakanal gesenkt.
- El Mundo (Spain)05:57
"Las condiciones actuales de la cuenca, incluyendo precipitaciones inferiores a las previstas en la cuenca hidrográfica del Canal, requieren acciones adicionales para respaldar la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de las operaciones de tránsito", indicó la administración de la vía Leer
- Euronews06:18
The operator said it does not rule out further restrictions on shipping depending on how much it rains in the coming weeks.
- BBC News World06:46
The crucial waterway's operator says low rainfall caused by the ocean pattern had led to the decision.
- DW Top Stories07:30
URL changednow www.dw.com/en/panama-canal-el-nino/a-78453054?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
Panama Canal will cut daily transits of ships from September because of low rainfall and amid an intensifying El Nino event.
- ČT24 (Czechia)08:45
Panamský průplav od září kvůli suchu omezí provoz. Počet lodí, které touto strategickou vodní cestou spojující Atlantský a Tichý oceán budou moci proplout, se od 3. září sníží z 36 na 34 denně, od 15. září pak na 32. Další případné snížení závisí na počasí v příštích týdnech. Sucho způsobuje klimatický jev El Niňo.
- 24sata (Croatia)11:14
Uprava Panamskoga kanala (ACP) obavijestila je brodarske tvrtke u četvrtak da će od 15. rujna kroz kanal moći proći 32 plovila dnevno, u usporedbi s trenutačnih 36
- Novinky (Czechia)12:40
Panamský průplav omezí kvůli nedostatku vody počet lodí, které jím mohou denně proplout. Za problémy stojí nízké srážky spojené s rychle sílícím El Niñem. Jeho dopady se přitom mohou projevit daleko za hranicemi Panamy a zasáhnout i světovou ekonomiku.
- riotimesonline.com15:34
Panama Canal transits will be capped at 34 a day from 4 September and 32 from 15 September. In exchange, the authority has delayed its draft cuts.
- Anadolu Agency (AA)16:43
Daily transit slots to fall from 36 to 34 on Sept. 4 and to 32 from Sept. 15
Sat, 22 August 2026
2 reports- El País (Spain)03:45
El precio disparado de los fletes, que suben el 140% desde febrero, refleja la acumulación de bloqueos en el tráfico, desde el estrecho de Ormuz hasta el Canal de Panamá
- Al Jazeera English08:00
Panama Canal will cut daily transits from 40 to 32 vessels by September 15, risking slower shipping and higher costs.
Tue, 25 August 2026
1 report- South China Morning Post19:03
A shipper needing to transit the Panama Canal bid a record US$5.3 million to secure its spot, according to people familiar with the matter. South Korea-based SK Gas Ltd agreed to pay the sum to travel the canal on September 1, said the people, who could not be identified as the information was confidential. The fee, determined through an auction run by the canal authority this week, breaks the previous high of US$4.6 million set earlier this month, also paid by a shipper controlling a South...
Wed, 26 August 2026
3 reports- Die Zeit (Germany)04:50
URL changednow www.zeit.de/wissenschaft/umwelt/2026-08/duerre-zentralamerika-el-nino-panama-honduras-el-salvador-gxe
Zentralamerika trifft aktuell extreme Trockenheit. Mehrere Länder warnen vor einer Dürre. Verstärkt wird das Extremwetter durch das Klimaphänomen El Niño.
- Le Figaro (France)05:36
La semaine dernière, l’Autorité du canal de Panama avait déjà annoncé que du fait du manque d’eau, la voie interocéanique allait réduire à compter du 3 septembre son trafic de 36 à 34 transits par jour, puis à 32 à partir de mi-septembre.
- Anadolu Agency (AA)18:24
El Nino threatens water supplies, agriculture, food security in Central America
Fri, 28 August 2026
7 reports- Le Figaro (France)04:48
Une entreprise sud-coréenne a accepté de payer cette somme lors d’une enchère pour obtenir un passage prioritaire pour l’un de ses navires transportant du gaz de pétrole liquéfié.
- Euronews06:19
The US-built canal's main users are the United States, China, Japan, Chile and South Korea.
- Channel News Asia06:59
South Korean company SK Gas paid the record sum for the G Spirit to transit the shipping lane on Sep 1, two days before canal authorities reduce the number of transits due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, Bloomberg reported.
- Le Monde (France)07:01
Face à la baisse du niveau d’eau, la concurrence s’intensifie pour franchir le canal de Panama, poussant les enchères à des sommets inédits pour garantir un passage prioritaire.
- Die Zeit (Germany)08:40
Die Durchfahrt des Panamakanals wird wegen des Klimaphänomens El Niño bald beschränkt. Ein südkoreanischer Konzern zahlte deshalb eine Rekordsumme, um noch durchzukommen.
- Die Zeit (Germany)08:40
URL changednow www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2026-08/panama-kanal-durchfahrt-trockenheit-el-nino-gxe
Die Durchfahrt des Panamakanals wird wegen des Klimaphänomens El Niño bald beschränkt. Ein südkoreanischer Konzern zahlte deshalb eine Rekordsumme, um noch durchzukommen.
- France Info (France)10:55
Le trafic dans ce passage stratégique doit être réduit à partir du 3 septembre en raison du manque d'eau lié au phénomène El Niño, qui réduit le niveau des lacs alimentant le canal.
Sat, 29 August 2026
1 report- El Mundo (Spain)00:41
La vía, por donde pasa el 5% del comercio marítimo mundial, disminuirá a partir del 3 de septiembre de 36 a 34 el número de barcos que podrán atravesarlo a diario Leer
Mon, 31 August 2026
1 report- MercoPress (South America)08:46
The Panama Canal will reduce the number of vessels allowed to cross from 38 to 34 a day from September 3, and to 32 from the 15th, as well as imposing new draught restrictions, because of falling water levels linked to El Niño. According to the waterway's authorities, rainfall since May has been 34% below the historical average and inflows to the basin have dropped 44%. Around 5% of world maritime traffic passes through the canal.
Tue, 1 September 2026
1 report- Le Monde (France)03:00
Le phénomène climatique fait chuter les apports en eau dans le passage par lequel trasite habituellement 5 % du commerce mondial.
Thu, 3 September 2026
1 report- Al Jazeera English15:35
Limits on the number of vessels in the canal could create shipping delays and increase freight costs.
Sat, 5 September 2026
1 report- Channel News Asia01:58
The Panama Canal on Friday (Sep 4) began reducing the number of ships passing through due to a drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Sun, 6 September 2026
1 report- Le Figaro (France)17:00
DÉCRYPTAGE - Les armateurs doivent trouver des alternatives pour faire face à la crise actuelle.
Mon, 7 September 2026
1 report- South China Morning Post19:43
The number of ships sailing through the Panama Canal could be cut further due to drought caused by the El Nino weather pattern, the new administrator of the waterway told Agence France-Presse on Monday. Panama has declared a nationwide emergency over El Nino, a phenomenon developing over the Pacific Ocean that is affecting worldwide weather patterns and pushing up global temperatures. This year’s El Nino is expected to be the strongest since record-keeping began four decades ago. Panama’s...
Tue, 8 September 2026
4 reports- Japan Times00:55
The weather phenomenon has caused rainwater levels in two reservoirs used to operate the canal's locks to drop.
- Al Jazeera English01:16
Canal authorities may further reduce ship traffic if a strengthening El Niño worsens the country's drought.
- N1 Info (Croatia)12:35
Uprava Panamskog kanala mogla bi zbog suše koju je izavao vremenski fenomen el niñno još više ograničiti tranzit brodova, upozorila je u razgovoru za
- tportal (Croatia)12:43
Uprava Panamskog kanala mogla bi zbog suše koju je izazvao vremenski fenomen el niño još više ograničiti tranzit brodova, upozorila je u razgovoru za agenciju AFP direktorica Ilya Espino de Marotta