Panama Canal Reverses May Pledge, Imposes Transit Caps Amid Strong El Niño

The Panama Canal Authority will cap daily transits at 34 on September 4, 2026, then cut to 32 on September 15 — down from the normal ~40. A strengthening El Niño drove the reversal of May assurances that no limits were needed through year-end. The canal handles roughly 5% of global maritime trade.