Panama Canal traffic falling

The official Panama Canal Authority data on transits for November presents a bleak image. 

According to the PCA, the total number of transits from October to November decreased 22%. The reduction affects both the larger Neopanamax locks installed in 2016 and the older Panamax locks may be a cause for concern. 

The Neopanamax locks are essential for moving high-capacity container ships from Asia to U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. They also help carriers of LNG and Liquefied Petroleum Gas export goods from the U.S. Gulf to Asia. 

Transits through the Neopanamax locks decreased 28% in November, while transits through the smaller locks fell 19%. 

On the Neopanamax side, dry bulk shipping suffered the most, while LNG, LPG, and container ships also encountered difficulties. 

There were 87 Panamax bulkers in transit by November, a 47% decrease from the previous month. (Marine Insisght 12/14/23) Panama Canal Transit Plunge Raises Concerns For Global Shipping (marineinsight.com)