Panama Canal agency warns water shortage "is not over"

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said on Wednesday that the famed waterway continues to face a water shortage, despite recent rains alleviating most restrictions imposed following last year's drought. The Panama Canal, which usually handles about six percent of global maritime trade, operates with rainwater from the artificial lakes - Gatun and Alajuela.

The drought-stricken canal has had to reduce the number of shipping vessels that pass through each day, as well as the size of each ship's draft. However, the agency said it will allow an increase in a vessel's draft to 14.6 meters starting 11 July and a maximum of 35 ships will be allowed to pass through per day beginning 5th August.