PANAMA CITY (AP) — A severe drought that began last year has forced authorities to slash ship crossings by 36% in the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important trade routes.
The new cuts announced Wednesday by authorities in Panama are set to deal an even greater economic blow than previously expected.
On Wednesday, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said they would cut daily ship crossings to 24, after already gradually slashing crossings last year from 38 a day in normal times.
It was a “significant reduction” for the country, Vásquez said.
“The water problem is a national problem, not just of the Canal,” Vásquez said.
Persons:
Ricaurte Vásquez, Vásquez, ” Vásquez, “, ”
Organizations:
PANAMA CITY, Central American
Locations:
PANAMA, Panama