Page 102 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024
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INTL MARITIME FORA
DISPELLING Myth Truth
MYTHS ABOUT There is a long queue of ships waiting The number of vessels outside the Panama Canal (approximately
PANAMA to transit outside of the Panama Canal, 50) is on par with the amount expected under the current condi-
tions.
causing a bottleneck.
CANAL There is no end in sight to the Current forecasts indicate that steady rainfall is expected in late
OPERATIONS drought-related transit restrictions in April and will continue for a few months. If this remains the case,
the Canal plans to gradually ease transit restrictions, allowing
the Panama Canal.
conditions to fully normalise by 2025.
Ships are waiting for prolonged periods More than three-quarters of vessels outside the Panama Canal
before they can transit the waterway. today have reservations and, therefore, will transit the Panama
Canal on a predetermined date with minimal to no waiting time.
The drought and transit restrictions Transits remain reliable so long as they are booked in advance,
have caused unreliability and a growing so the Canal urges its customers to make reservations ahead of
bottleneck at the Panama Canal. time.
The cost of transiting the Panama Canal Last year, mainly during the months of October and November,
is significantly more expensive than there was a surge in auction prices related to a market-driven
normal. congestion premium, though this is no longer the case.
Competing alternative routes may start While we are constantly monitoring potential projects that could
to impact the use of the Panama Canal compete with our route, we remain confident in our service and
route. are making investments to ensure we remain the most efficient,
reliable, and trusted partner for global trade.
The quality of water is less important This is simply not true. The Panama Canal has a constitutional
than the quantity of water conserved by mandate to manage lake water quality and quantity, with water
the Panama Canal. for human consumption a top priority. Maintaining salinity levels
within reference values and preventing any associated risks is
part of that responsibility, so the quality of water in Gatun Lake is
Nearing the end of the dry season, the Panama Canal is adapting to climate regularly monitored.
conditions. Based on the present and projected water level of Gatun Lake
and due to the Operational Water Strategy (OWS) that the Panama Canal
has implemented, additional slots announced this month will be available Panama is one of the world’s wettest While Panama may receive precipitation, rainfall has not oc-
as of May and June, bringing the total number of transits offered up to 32 countries. With frequent rain, the Pana- curred as consistently within the Panama Canal Watershed due
per day. Recent precipitation and progress secured by the Canal’s ongoing ma Canal should have plenty of water. to changes in weather patterns, exacerbated by the impacts of
water-saving efforts are turning the tide. climate change.
Nonetheless, misconceptions continue to linger about the recent drought’s
impact on the Canal’s operations and global trade. To alleviate concerns, Solutions for strengthening water While no simple answer or single project will immediately solve
please see a breakdown of common misconceptions together with clari- management at the Panama Canal are the challenge of water, the Canal is advancing a series of short-
fying information below, which will help to shed light on the waterway’s unclear. term and long-term solutions.
evolving operations.
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