The Panama Canal’s future could be problematic along with global trade. Facing a near unprecedented rainfall deficit the Canal has had to restrict the number of vessels passing through. Historically there’s been a rainfall shortage but once every averaging 20 years but in the last 26 years this is the third major deficit. The frequency increase is consistent with climate change models. Connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, the Canal eliminates the need to travel around the southern tip of South America, shortening the trip by more than 13,000km. Over 40% of consumer goods traded between north-east Asia and the US east coast come through the Canal. In the long run we could be looking at a big increase in the cost of commodities.
www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/22/changing-climate-casts-a-shadow-over-the-future-of-the-panama-canal-and-global-trade