Asia-US container rates rise, tanker rates ex-USG steady; Panama Canal lowers draft limits

What it is about

Who published it, and when

How it spread - 58 original reports, 3 reprints

1. Sun, 9 August 2026

   1 report
   • hellenicshippingnews.com22:45first to report
     Asia-US container rates rise, tanker rates ex-USG steady; Panama Canal lowers draft limits
2. Wed, 12 August 2026

   2 reports
   • The Guardian World12:26
     Panama canal fees soar due to Iran war and El Niño as ship ‘pays $4m to jump queue’

     Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping lane Business live – latest updates Commercial ships travelling through the Panama canal are facing a rise in costs amid disruption triggered by the Iran war and falling water levels linked to this year’s intense El Niño weather system . Highlighting the fragility of global trade, a container ship reportedly paid about $4m (£3m) to jump a queue of vessels waiting to pass through the vital...

   • wwd.com22:18
     Container Ship Pays $4M to Jump Panama Canal Queue as Wait Times Surge

     A $4 million Panama Canal slot bid highlights mounting congestion as draft restrictions tighten and an expected strong El Niño threatens water levels.

3. Thu, 13 August 2026

   1 report
   • iDNES (Czechia)10:26
     Poplatky za proplutí Panamským průplavem rostou. Lodě si připlácejí za „předbíhání“

     Obchodní lodě proplouvající Panamským průplavem čelí nárůstu nákladů. Může za to jak narušení lodní dopravy způsobené válkou v Íránu, tak i klesající hladiny moří související s letošním intenzivním klimatickým jevem El Niño. Očekává se, že ustupující hladina vody související s tímto meteorologickým jevem omezí počet časových slotů pro cestu touto důležitou plavební dráhou.

4. Fri, 14 August 2026

   2 reports
   • Anadolu Agency (AA)13:31
     Panama Canal retains key role in global economy on 112th anniversary

     Data shows waterway connects 180 maritime routes and 1,920 ports, serves 170 countries and handled 13,404 transits in 2025

   • krcu.org21:22
     Why some companies are paying more than $1 million to get through the Panama Canal

     With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, pressure on the Panama Canal has increased. And combined with lower water levels, transit prices through the canal are soaring.

     1 reprint

     • capeandislands.org14 Aug, 21:22their copy
5. Sat, 15 August 2026

   1 report
   • ibtimes.com.au15:07
     Empty LPG Tanker Pays Record $4.6 Million to Jump Panama Canal Queue Amid Iran War

     The G. Arete tanker paid a record $4.6 million to bypass Panama Canal congestion, highlighting how Iran conflict and El Niño conditions are disrupting global shipping routes.

6. Thu, 20 August 2026

   2 reports
   • The Hill13:30
     Panama is one battle in China's infrastructure war

     China has retaliated against Panama by increasing inspections and detentions of Panamanian-flagged ships after the Panamanian Supreme Court struck down concessions held by a Hong Kong-based company at the entrance terminals of the Panama Canal.

   • Channel News Asia23:37
     Panama Canal to cap daily transits, anticipating severe El Nino
7. Fri, 21 August 2026

   17 reports
   • Die Zeit (Germany)00:21
     Klima: Zu wenig Regen: Panamakanal senkt Zahl der Schiffspassagen
   • Die Zeit (Germany)00:25
     Panamakanal: Klimaphänomen El Niño beeinträchtigt Schiffsverkehr im Panamakanal

     In Panama ist es wegen des besonders starken El Niño in diesem Jahr zu trocken. Durch den Panamakanal dürfen deshalb bald nicht mehr so viele Schiffe fahren.

   • Al Jazeera English01:12
     Panama Canal to limit shipping ahead of extreme weather during El Nino

     The El Nino weather phenomenon is expected to increase the likelihood of drought and excess heat across the region.

   • Der Spiegel (Germany)02:27
     Zu wenig Regen – Schiffsverkehr durch Panamakanal wird reduziert

     URL changednow www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/panamakanal-zu-wenig-regen-schiffsverkehr-wird-reduziert-a-70cb3168-9a6f-4567-acc8-d080cf6c6f66#ref=rss

     Eigentlich herrscht in Panama Regenzeit. Doch die Niederschläge fallen zu niedrig aus – mit Konsequenzen für die Schifffahrt im Kanal zwischen Atlantik und Pazifik. Das Problem dürfte sich noch verschärfen.

   • Le Monde (France)02:48
     Trafic réduit dans le canal de Panama en raison d’une baisse des précipitations causée par El Niño

     La voie maritime dépend des réserves d’eau douce stockées dans les lacs artificiels de Gatun et d’Alajuela pour alimenter ses écluses. Le déficit de précipitations enregistré depuis plusieurs mois entraîne une baisse de leur niveau.

   • Le Monde English03:06
     Panama Canal to cut ship traffic over El Niño-fueled drought

     From September 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34 due to low water levels in two artificial lakes that feed the canal, the Panama Canal Authority said on Thursday. It will drop to 32 from September 15 on.

     2 reprints

     • South China Morning Post22 Aug, 23:11their copy
     • repeatingislands.com23 Aug, 20:45their copy
   • Japan Times03:36
     Panama Canal to reduce shipping over El Nino-fueled drought

     From Sept. 3, the number of vessels allowed through each day will fall from 36 to 34, before dropping further to 32 from Sept. 15 onward.

   • Tagesschau (Germany)05:27
     Schiffsverkehr durch Panamakanal wird wegen Trockenheit reduziert

     Trotz Regenzeit ist es ungewöhnlich trocken in Panama. Das hat nun auch Konsequenzen für die Schifffahrt: Ab kommendem Monat wird die Zahl der Schiffspassagen durch den Panamakanal gesenkt.

   • El Mundo (Spain)05:57
     El Canal de Panamá reduce el tránsito diario de buques de 36 a 32 por las amenazas de El Niño

     "Las condiciones actuales de la cuenca, incluyendo precipitaciones inferiores a las previstas en la cuenca hidrográfica del Canal, requieren acciones adicionales para respaldar la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de las operaciones de tránsito", indicó la administración de la vía Leer

   • Euronews06:18
     Panama Canal to reduce shipping as El Niño fuels drought in lakes that feed waterway

     The operator said it does not rule out further restrictions on shipping depending on how much it rains in the coming weeks.

   • BBC News World06:46
     Panama Canal to cut number of ships passing through due to El Niño

     The crucial waterway's operator says low rainfall caused by the ocean pattern had led to the decision.

   • DW Top Stories07:30
     Panama Canal to cap ship transits due to El Nino drought

     URL changednow www.dw.com/en/panama-canal-el-nino/a-78453054?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

     Panama Canal will cut daily transits of ships from September because of low rainfall and amid an intensifying El Nino event.

   • ČT24 (Czechia)08:45
     Panamský průplav kvůli suchu omezí provoz

     Panamský průplav od září kvůli suchu omezí provoz. Počet lodí, které touto strategickou vodní cestou spojující Atlantský a Tichý oceán budou moci proplout, se od 3. září sníží z 36 na 34 denně, od 15. září pak na 32. Další případné snížení závisí na počasí v příštích týdnech. Sucho způsobuje klimatický jev El Niňo.

   • 24sata (Croatia)11:14
     El Nino udario na svjetsku trgovinu. Radikalan potez dolazi iz Panamskog kanala

     Uprava Panamskoga kanala (ACP) obavijestila je brodarske tvrtke u četvrtak da će od 15. rujna kroz kanal moći proći 32 plovila dnevno, u usporedbi s trenutačnih 36

   • Novinky (Czechia)12:40
     Panamský průplav omezuje provoz kvůli El Niñu

     Panamský průplav omezí kvůli nedostatku vody počet lodí, které jím mohou denně proplout. Za problémy stojí nízké srážky spojené s rychle sílícím El Niñem. Jeho dopady se přitom mohou projevit daleko za hranicemi Panamy a zasáhnout i světovou ekonomiku.

   • riotimesonline.com15:34
     Panama Canal Caps Daily Ship Transits From September

     Panama Canal transits will be capped at 34 a day from 4 September and 32 from 15 September. In exchange, the authority has delayed its draft cuts.

   • Anadolu Agency (AA)16:43
     El Nino effects force Panama Canal to cut daily ship transits

     Daily transit slots to fall from 36 to 34 on Sept. 4 and to 32 from Sept. 15

8. Sat, 22 August 2026

   2 reports
   • El País (Spain)03:45
     El transporte marítimo mundial se atasca entre conflictos y crisis climáticas

     El precio disparado de los fletes, que suben el 140% desde febrero, refleja la acumulación de bloqueos en el tráfico, desde el estrecho de Ormuz hasta el Canal de Panamá

   • Al Jazeera English08:00
     Panama Canal to reduce shipping as ‘extreme’ El Nino approaches

     Panama Canal will cut daily transits from 40 to 32 vessels by September 15, risking slower shipping and higher costs.

9. Tue, 25 August 2026

   1 report
   • South China Morning Post19:03
     Asian shipper pays record US$5.3 million for Panama Canal access

     A shipper needing to transit the Panama Canal bid a record US$5.3 million to secure its spot, according to people familiar with the matter. South Korea-based SK Gas Ltd agreed to pay the sum to travel the canal on September 1, said the people, who could not be identified as the information was confidential. The fee, determined through an auction run by the canal authority this week, breaks the previous high of US$4.6 million set earlier this month, also paid by a shipper controlling a South...

10. Wed, 26 August 2026

    3 reports
    • Die Zeit (Germany)04:50
      Zentralamerika: Panama und El Salvador rufen Dürrealarm aus

      URL changednow www.zeit.de/wissenschaft/umwelt/2026-08/duerre-zentralamerika-el-nino-panama-honduras-el-salvador-gxe

      Zentralamerika trifft aktuell extreme Trockenheit. Mehrere Länder warnen vor einer Dürre. Verstärkt wird das Extremwetter durch das Klimaphänomen El Niño.

    • Le Figaro (France)05:36
      «Être prêts à affronter ce qui pourrait arriver» : le Panama et le Salvador sonnent l’alerte face au phénomène climatique El Niño

      La semaine dernière, l’Autorité du canal de Panama avait déjà annoncé que du fait du manque d’eau, la voie interocéanique allait réduire à compter du 3 septembre son trafic de 36 à 34 transits par jour, puis à 32 à partir de mi-septembre.

    • Anadolu Agency (AA)18:24
      Panama declares national emergency as El Salvador, Honduras issue red alerts for drought

      El Nino threatens water supplies, agriculture, food security in Central America

11. Fri, 28 August 2026

    7 reports
    • Le Figaro (France)04:48
      Un record de 5,3 millions de dollars pour passer le canal de Panama, dont la circulation sera bientôt réduite

      Une entreprise sud-coréenne a accepté de payer cette somme lors d’une enchère pour obtenir un passage prioritaire pour l’un de ses navires transportant du gaz de pétrole liquéfié.

    • Euronews06:19
      Tanker pays record $5.3m to transit Panama Canal amid El Niño drought

      The US-built canal's main users are the United States, China, Japan, Chile and South Korea.

    • Channel News Asia06:59
      Tanker pays record US$5.3 million to transit Panama Canal: Administrator

      South Korean company SK Gas paid the record sum for the G Spirit to transit the shipping lane on Sep 1, two days before canal authorities reduce the number of transits due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, Bloomberg reported.

    • Le Monde (France)07:01
      Canal de Panama : un navire a payé la somme record de 5,3 millions de dollars pour un passage prioritaire, en raison du phénomène El Niño

      Face à la baisse du niveau d’eau, la concurrence s’intensifie pour franchir le canal de Panama, poussant les enchères à des sommets inédits pour garantir un passage prioritaire.

    • Die Zeit (Germany)08:40
      Klimaphänomens El Niño: Tanker zahlt Millionensumme für rasche Durchfahrt durch Panamakanal

      Die Durchfahrt des Panamakanals wird wegen des Klimaphänomens El Niño bald beschränkt. Ein südkoreanischer Konzern zahlte deshalb eine Rekordsumme, um noch durchzukommen.

    • Die Zeit (Germany)08:40
      Klimaphänomens El Niño: Tanker zahlt Millionensumme für rasche Durchfahrt durch Panamakanal

      URL changednow www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2026-08/panama-kanal-durchfahrt-trockenheit-el-nino-gxe

      Die Durchfahrt des Panamakanals wird wegen des Klimaphänomens El Niño bald beschränkt. Ein südkoreanischer Konzern zahlte deshalb eine Rekordsumme, um noch durchzukommen.

    • France Info (France)10:55
      Un navire appartenant à une entreprise sud-coréenne paie un montant record de 5,3 millions de dollars pour passer plus vite par le canal de Panama

      Le trafic dans ce passage stratégique doit être réduit à partir du 3 septembre en raison du manque d'eau lié au phénomène El Niño, qui réduit le niveau des lacs alimentant le canal.

12. Sat, 29 August 2026

    1 report
    • El Mundo (Spain)00:41
      Un buque paga 5,3 millones de dólares por cruzar el canal de Panamá

      La vía, por donde pasa el 5% del comercio marítimo mundial, disminuirá a partir del 3 de septiembre de 36 a 34 el número de barcos que podrán atravesarlo a diario Leer

13. Mon, 31 August 2026

    1 report
    • MercoPress (South America)08:46
      The Panama Canal will cut daily transits from Wednesday because of drought

      The Panama Canal will reduce the number of vessels allowed to cross from 38 to 34 a day from September 3, and to 32 from the 15th, as well as imposing new draught restrictions, because of falling water levels linked to El Niño. According to the waterway's authorities, rainfall since May has been 34% below the historical average and inflows to the basin have dropped 44%. Around 5% of world maritime traffic passes through the canal.

14. Tue, 1 September 2026

    1 report
    • Le Monde (France)03:00
      Dans le canal de Panama, El Niño impose une baisse du trafic maritime et l’envolée des prix de passage

      Le phénomène climatique fait chuter les apports en eau dans le passage par lequel trasite habituellement 5 % du commerce mondial.

15. Thu, 3 September 2026

    1 report
    • Al Jazeera English15:35
      Panama Canal restricts traffic amid Hormuz crisis: Why this matters

      Limits on the number of vessels in the canal could create shipping delays and increase freight costs.

16. Sat, 5 September 2026

    1 report
    • Channel News Asia01:58
      Panama Canal begins reducing crossings due to El Nino

      The Panama Canal on Friday (Sep 4) began reducing the number of ships passing through due to a drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

17. Sun, 6 September 2026

    1 report
    • Le Figaro (France)17:00
      Détroit d’Ormuz quasi bloqué, canal de Panama en proie à la sécheresse... Quand les troubles géopolitiques et climatiques déroutent le transport maritime

      DÉCRYPTAGE - Les armateurs doivent trouver des alternatives pour faire face à la crise actuelle.

18. Mon, 7 September 2026

    1 report
    • South China Morning Post19:43edited after publishing
      New Panama Canal chief says El Nino could force further transit cuts

      previouslyNew Panama Canal chief considers more cuts in transits due to El Nino

      The number of ships sailing through the Panama Canal could be cut further due to drought caused by the El Nino weather pattern, the new administrator of the waterway said on Monday. Panama has declared a nationwide emergency over El Nino, a phenomenon developing over the Pacific Ocean that is affecting worldwide weather patterns and pushing up global temperatures. This year’s El Nino is expected to be the strongest since record-keeping began four decades ago. Panama’s restrictions come even...

19. Tue, 8 September 2026

    4 reports
    • Japan Times00:55
      Panama Canal considering more cuts in transits due to El Nino

      The weather phenomenon has caused rainwater levels in two reservoirs used to operate the canal's locks to drop.

    • Al Jazeera English01:16
      Panama Canal may cut ship traffic further as El Niño strengthens

      Canal authorities may further reduce ship traffic if a strengthening El Niño worsens the country's drought.

    • N1 Info (Croatia)12:35
      Zbog El Nina alarm na jednoj od najvažnijih svjetskih ruta

      Uprava Panamskog kanala mogla bi zbog suše koju je izavao vremenski fenomen el niñno još više ograničiti tranzit brodova, upozorila je u razgovoru za

    • tportal (Croatia)12:43
      Zbog El Niña ugrožen i pomorski promet? Panama već proglasila izvanredno stanje

      Uprava Panamskog kanala mogla bi zbog suše koju je izazvao vremenski fenomen el niño još više ograničiti tranzit brodova, upozorila je u razgovoru za agenciju AFP direktorica Ilya Espino de Marotta

20. Wed, 9 September 2026

    1 report
    • Libération (France)13:58
      Au canal de Panamá, le trafic baisse, pas les profits

      Suite à l’insuffisance de pluies dû au phénomène climatique El Niño, le nombre de bateaux autorisé à transiter par le canal a été limité vendredi 4 septembre. Mais un système d’enchères vient compenser le manque à gagner pour les autorités.

21. Tue, 15 September 2026

    4 reports
    • Le Figaro (France)00:22
      Phénomène El Niño : le Canal de Panama prévoit de réduire encore davantage son trafic

      Le canal prévoit désormais de limiter le nombre maximal de navires autorisés à traverser chaque jour à «une moyenne de 29,5 transits».

    • The Guardian World02:43edited after publishing
      Panama canal traffic facing further cuts as drought from El Niño worsens

      previouslyPanama canal traffic to be cut again as drought from El Niño worsens

      Planned daily reductions will further choke one of the world’s most important shipping lanes The Panama canal plans to again cut maritime traffic due to worsening drought caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon, further choking up one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. The canal handles 5% of global maritime trade and about 40% of US container traffic; it is favoured by shippers because it usually reduces cost and transit times, especially for companies trading between China, Asia...

    • iDNES (Czechia)10:01
      Panamský průplav dále omezuje provoz. El Niño ještě neřeklo své poslední slovo

      Panamský průplav plánuje další omezení námořního provozu. Nejnovější krok tak ještě více zúží jednu z nejdůležitějších námořních tras světa. Průplav zajišťuje pět procent celosvětového námořního obchodu a přibližně 40 procent kontejnerové přepravy z USA. Přepravci jej upřednostňují, neboť tato trasa obvykle snižuje náklady a zkracuje přepravní časy, zejména pro společnosti obchodující mezi Čínou, Asií a Spojenými státy.

    • hellenicshippingnews.com11:15
      The Swedish Club warns Cape Horn should remain ‘Plan C’ for Panama diversions
22. Wed, 23 September 2026

    1 report
    • Google News - Top Stories23:02
      How the Panama Canal Became a 50-Mile Waterway With a $5 Million Ticket Price

      How the Panama Canal Became a 50-Mile Waterway With a $5 Million Ticket Price WSJ BIMCO Shipping Number of the Week Cyprus Shipping News Panama Canal Restrictions Increase Costs and Delays for Hapag-Lloyd Data Portuaria Cape Horn should stay ‘Plan C’ for Panama diversions, the Swedish Club warns safety4sea Panama Canal Stress: Is the Worst Dead Ahead? Marine Link

23. Sat, 26 September 2026

    1 report
    • El Mundo (Spain)17:10
      Del conflicto en Oriente Próximo a la sequía en Panamá: los cuellos de botella que amenazan con subir los precios antes de Navidad

      Las navieras comenzaban a regresar al canal de Suez cuando el repunte de la tensión elevó el riesgo sobre la ruta. El coste mundial de transportar contenedores se duplicado en un año Leer

24. Sun, 27 September 2026

    1 report
    • El País (Spain)03:30
      Los cuatro pasos marítimos que tienen al mundo en vilo

      Al cierre del estrecho de Ormuz y las turbulencias en Bab el Mandeb se suman una sequía persistente en el canal de Panamá y las dudas sobre Malaca