In an era marked by geopolitical tensions, economic unpredictability, and climate variability, the Panama Canal emerges as a critical linchpin in the global trade landscape, Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Administrator of the Panama Canal highlights, reports Safety4sea.
Panama Canal’s role
Dr. Ricaurte said that as the El Niño phenomenon threatened to disrupt maritime traffic by causing low reservoir levels in the lakes feeding the Canal due to below-average rainfall, proactive measures were imperative. In response to the drought, the Canal implemented various water-saving measures – from cross-filling locks to reducing the total number of transits – to mitigate potential risks and ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods. These actions not only protected the Canal’s operations but also ensured an adequate supply of drinking water for around half of Panama’s 4.5 million people.
Moreover, the diligent use of the reservation system for all vessels—previously, only about 70% of transits were booked in advance— necessitated by the challenges posed by the drought, notably enhanced the Canal’s reliability. He states that this system ensured timely transit for all pre-booked vessels, thereby significantly reducing waiting times. The first quarter of this year saw a 10-hour reduction in wait times compared to the previous year, translating not only to improved efficiency but also tangible environmental benefits from reduced vessel idling and consequent carbon emissions.
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Source: Safety4sea
