A “rainfall deficit,” has slowed down the queue of tankers waiting in the bay to pass through the Panama Canal. This passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, a route that revolutionized global shipping since its opening in 1914. It’s responsible for 40% of consumer goods traded between north-east Asia and the US east coast, equivalent to 14,000 vessels transporting essential commodities for societal development.
These vessels pass through a narrow waterway that rises about 26m above sea level, and pass through the locks of Lake Gatun. Each time a ship passes through the canal, it requires at least 200m liters of water from a nearby reservoir. Though, the climate phenomenon of El Niño, has led to a lack of abundance of water necessary for the operation of this vital passageway. In fact, the canal has faced a deficit of at least 3 billion liters per day, which limits the capacity of ships that can be allowed through Panama City—from 36 to just 18 in a matter of months.
Consequently, this climate crisis has exacerbated the cost of commodities and disrupted the global supply chain when it comes to international trade. The conditions of the canal are expected to worsen over the coming years, especially with soon dry seasons that are continually shaping the country's economic trajectory. This raises concerns on the future viability of this Mesoamerican passage, as well as the impact of climate patterns on the trade in Central America and other reliant countries.
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