El Niño: Blue-water sailors face massive traffic jams on the Panama Canal

Since 4 September, only 34 commercial vessels have been allowed to pass through the canal each day. From 15 September, the capacity will be reduced to 32 transits per day. Normally, around 40 of these freighters and tankers – some of which are enormous – pass through the locks every day.

The cause is an El Niño event that is expected to persist for some time, bringing less rain to Central America than in normal years. As a result, key tributaries feeding the Gatún and Alajuela lakes, located in the interior of Panama, are running low. Water levels in the lakes have recently fallen sharply.

The water from the lakes fills the lock chambers on both sides of the canal. Each time the locks are opened, the water flows out into the sea. To prevent the lakes from drying up further, the canal authority must therefore limit the number of lock passages – and also the draught of large cargo ships.

A bottleneck for shipping

This restriction affects long-distance sailors in two ways. Firstly, fewer lock-passage slots are being allocated. Secondly, yachts are competing with commercial shipping for scarce capacity. The website run by the British World Cruising Club Noonsite currently expressly points out that, for standard yachts under 65 feet that have not been booked in advance, no reliable passage date can currently be envisaged.

Don’t miss this – it’s well worth a read!

Through the Panama Canal with line handler Ali Heise (80) – a feature by Tom Baumann, published in YACHT 21/2019 (click here!)

According to Noonsite, the current restriction could prove particularly problematic in the first quarter of 2027. Between January and May, the number of long-distance sailors in Panama traditionally rises significantly: following the Caribbean season, many crews take the ‘barefoot route’ through the canal towards the Galápagos and the South Pacific.

Even under normal circumstances, waiting times can run to several weeks. Now water management is another factor to contend with. As yachts under 65 feet are required to use a transit adviser rather than a canal pilot, and these specially licensed advisers are in short supply, the backlog of bookings is likely to get even worse.

Book your Passage early and stay flexible

For long-distance sailors, this means: it is best to prepare for the canal passage well in advance of arrival, check the latest guidance from the canal authority and allow for sufficient time in the sailing plan. Before the transit, the yacht and relevant details are registered, fees and appointments are arranged, and the mandatory lock equipment and sufficient helpers for handling the mooring lines are organised. During the passage, an authorised adviser comes on board; the crew follows his instructions whilst passing through the locks.

On the Atlantic side, Shelter Bay Marina is a base used by many cruising sailors to prepare for the passage through the canal. Anyone arriving here in the coming weeks without a confirmed booking should not expect to be able to continue their journey to the Galapagos Islands straight away.

A channel with a high price tag

The Panama Canal opened in 1914, sparing ships the dangerous and lengthy route round Cape Horn. Its construction took more than 20 years and cost the lives of nearly 30,000 people. At its heart lies the artificial Gatún Lake in the centre of the canal: via a total of five sets of locks, ships are raised to the lake’s level and then lowered again at the other end of the canal.

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