Panama Canal adds fees and reduces slots to sustain water levels after low rainfall

Changing rainfall patterns and historic low water levels at the Gatun Lake have led the Panama Canal to announce a series of new measures from February onwards, aimed at sustaining an operational level of water.

The canal authority hopes that the changes, which will be implemented from February 15, will provide reliability in water levels and transit schedules to customers while it focuses on finding a long-term solution.

Despite water-conservation measures, this past year’s rainfall was 20% below the historic average and the fifth driest year in 70 years.