Panama Canal Curbs Vessel Bookings Due to Water Supply Challenges, Adding to Global Trade Headaches

The Panama Canal Authority is temporarily suspending some vessel-booking slots and reducing daily booking capacity from 36 to 34 ships due to ongoing water-supply challenges and the potential development of an El Niño weather pattern. This move is expected to create a fresh headache for global trade, already grappling with months-long snarls in the Middle East and other chokepoint disruptions.