AFP _ The Panama Canal recorded a historic high in commercial cargo traffic in light of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz resulting from the war in the Middle East, according to the canal's operating authority as reported to AFP on Tuesday.
The Canal Witnessed the Passage of 521 Million Tons of Commercial Cargo Aboard 14,000 Ships by the End of September
The canal, through which approximately 5% of global maritime trade passes, witnessed the transit of 521 million tons of commercial cargo aboard 14,000 ships during the last fiscal year, which extended from October 2025 until the end of September, according to the authorities.
Ilya Espino de Marotta, an official operating the canal, reported a "boom" in vessel transit traffic throughout the year following the disruption of transport movement via the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil and gas supplies normally pass.
The Canal Increased the Number of Daily Transits to 41 to Accommodate the Surge in Traffic
The canal increased the number of daily transits from 36 to 41 for a period to adapt to the surge in traffic.
However, earlier this month, it was forced to reduce daily transits to 32 due to drought caused by rainfall scarcity.
The waterway relies on fresh water stored in two artificial lakes, the volumes of which have declined following the exceptionally strong "El Niño" phenomenon this year.
As the warm phase of the natural climate cycle, the "El Niño" phenomenon temporarily raises global temperatures, altering cloud and wind patterns and increasing the risks of destructive weather conditions.
Espino de Marotta stated that, "Despite severe weather conditions, we were able to support the maritime shipping sector when it needed it most by increasing the volume of goods passing through the canal."
The previous record for shipments through the Panama Canal was 518 million tons in the 2022 fiscal year.
