Panama Canal operating at top capacity as Iran war triggers more LNG vessel traffic, chief says

The Panama Canal is experiencing peak operations, handling 36 to 38 vessels daily. This surge is driven by increased demand for liquefied natural gas tankers. The ongoing conflict impacting the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz is making Panama a crucial alternative for global trade. Canal Chief Ricaurte Vasquez noted that the facility is operating at its maximum sustainable limit to accommodate the shift in global shipping patterns caused by geopolitical instability in the Middle East.