The number of ships that have changed their route around South America has sharply increased. These changes are related to new restrictions in the Panama Canal, which, according to data from the Chilean Navy, began in July and increased by 70 percent in August and September.
Increase in Maritime Traffic
According to reports, the number of requests for guidance for the Strait of Magellan in Chile has clearly increased, leading to a rise in maritime traffic in this area. Although the Chilean Navy has not provided precise information about the types of ships, analysts believe that the increase has primarily occurred in vessels with a gross weight of 60,000 to 65,000 tons.
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Panama Canal Restrictions
The timing of this increase in traffic coincides with the Panama Canal's efforts to reduce the number of daily transits and limit the maximum depth of ships. These restrictions have particularly impacted gas ships and container vessels. For example, container ships must reduce their cargo or unload at various points to comply with depth restrictions.
The Panama Canal typically maintains about 38 daily transits, but due to water-saving measures, this number has decreased. Currently, the largest ships using the Neopanamax locks are limited to 9 daily transits. Additionally, there are currently 45 ships waiting to transit, with an average waiting time of 5.5 days.
In addition to the ships that have changed course around South America, analysts have also noted that some vessels are altering their routes between West Africa and Asia for the same reasons. These changes are due to security concerns in the Middle East and the Red Sea.
Finally, with the onset of the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, the increase in cruise ships to the region and Antarctica has also contributed to this rise in traffic. Conditions in the Panama Canal may help alleviate pressures on southern waters, as forecasts indicate that water levels in Gatun Lake have stabilized and can help maintain operations at current levels.
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