DEPUTY Panama Canal administrator Ilya Espino does not expect additional vessel transit limitations until at least April, reports Reuters.
The authority will assess water levels at the conclusion of the dry season to determine the necessity of any further restrictions.
Last year, a severe drought compelled the canal to decrease the daily number of vessels permitted to transit.
But December rains, and in the fourth quarter, enabled the waterway to defer additional restrictions scheduled for January.
Mr Espino highlighted that recent ship attacks in the Red Sea have led many vessel operators to opt for longer routes to and from Asia. Consequently, there has been a surge in demand for transits through Panama.
Should expected rains materialise in May, the canal intends to incrementally augment daily slots, with the goal of reinstating the usual 36 vessels per day, the usual number in the rainy season.
Source: shippinggazette