Panama Canal reports record transits and readies for El Niño

The Panama Canal logged 10,726 vessel transits in the first nine months of fiscal year 2026, a 5.2 % rise over the same period a year earlier, averaging 35 transits per day. Cargo moved reached 389.96 million tons, up 7.2 %, driven mainly by container ships and LPG carriers. Transit revenues climbed 17 % to US$4.802 billion and net income grew 19 % to US$3.614 billion. Finance Vice‑President Víctor Vial said, “We continue strengthening the balance sheet, which is essential for the investments ahead, and demand remains very strong.” The Canal’s administration warned that the probability of a severe El Niño event has risen to 81 % and is monitoring conditions, prepared to impose operational limits such as draft restrictions or reduced vessel numbers if needed.

The agency’s updates were presented by Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta and Vice‑President Vial during a Bank of America Merrill Lynch market briefing.