Part 2/9:
Historically, the Panama Canal has been indispensable, decreasing travel times and facilitating the movement of billions in goods. However, it now faces serious operational limitations. With Panama grappling with severe water shortages exacerbated by climate change, the once-reliable lakes that powered the Canal's locks are drying up. The Panama Canal Authority has been compelled to impose restrictions on daily vessel transits—limiting traffic from the usual capacity of 38 ships per day to a mere 24.
This has profound implications for shipping companies, forcing them to adjust routes or reduce cargo, resulting in higher costs and delays. As environmental conditions worsen, and the implications of aging infrastructure become clearer, the viability of the Canal is increasingly in jeopardy.