The water crisis affecting the operations of the Panama Canal is creating a reduction in the number of daily transits, as well as a decrease in the draft of the vessels that can transit, so the Maritime Chamber of Panama has called for strengthening the rest of the actors in the Sector to provide a more efficient service to the maritime and logistics chain and seek alternatives for the service. 

With the reduction of daily transits from an average of 38 to 32 at present and later to 31 as of November 1, many shipping companies, mainly handling containers, are leaving some cargo at the ports to be sent by land transport, either rail or trucks, to other ports on the Pacific or Atlantic side, depending on the case. 

In addition, the waiting lines of ships to enter the Canal, which averaged 106 on October 12, generated the need to provide additional services to deliver supplies by auxiliary companies in the maritime Sector. 

For this, the maritime industry union called on the Government to convene all sector members to make viable strategies that strengthen the Panama Dry Canal and streamline the process of attention to shipping companies that require transhipment services. 

There is an urgent need for a dialogue to agree on measures and alternatives that efficiently maintain logistics and supply chain connectivity. Discussion must be held to find "efficient alternatives to maintain the unparalleled connectivity offered by Panama, mainly because the restrictions announced by the Panama Canal will remain in place for the next ten months, according to the ACP." 

The ACP said that they are reinforcing measures to save water by using the locks and expect that these next three months will be crucial to recovering the level of the reservoirs, in this case, Gatun and Alajuela. 

For the maritime union, an alliance between the Government, the ACP and the Chamber can generate actions that ensure the sustainability of the Sector, including measures that solve the problem of water scarcity. 

In addition to the restrictions on transits, lowering the draft to 44 feet, saving water for each lock, and passing two ships simultaneously through transit if the size allows it, the ACP is also analysing the proposal for a new water reservoir, which so far is leaning towards a reservoir in Rio Indio.