Panama Canal restrictions and port congestion drive up shipping rates

Global maritime shipping is facing increased pressure due to operational disruptions in Asian ports and transit restrictions in the Panama Canal. These factors are driving up container shipping rates, particularly on routes connecting Asia to the United States East Coast, where costs are nearing $9,800 per FEU ahead of China’s Golden Week in October.

In the Panama Canal, limited freshwater availability has forced restrictions on vessel drafts and the number of Neopanamax transits. This has led shipping lines to modify itineraries or seek alternative routes.

Locally, the structural cost of moving a container between Panama City and the Colon Container Terminal (CCT) is estimated at approximately $336.57 per round trip, according to data from TruckingRates.org. This figure represents operational costs—including fuel, driver wages, tolls, and maintenance—before commercial margins are added. A significant portion of this cost, roughly 37.7%, is attributed to empty return trips.