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


The United Kingdom-flagged LPG Tanker Durham leaves the Cocoli Locks at the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Panama, March 13, 2026. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun

PANAMA CITY, ⁠March 20 (Reuters) - The Panama ⁠Canal is operating at ‌top capacity with a daily passage of between 36 and ​38 vessels, the ⁠waterway's chief Ricaurte ⁠Vasquez told reporters on Friday, ⁠adding ‌that the Iran war is ⁠boosting demand by owners and ​operators ‌of liquefied natural gas tankers, ⁠particularly ​those loading at U.S. ports.

The world's second busiest ⁠waterway, which was already ​seeing increased traffic of LNG vessels through Panama before ⁠the war, is getting ready to offer one slot per day for ​LNG tankers to ⁠pass the canal, from ​four per month ‌in previous months.

(Reporting ​by Elida Moreno, Editing by Marianna Parraga)

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