There are concerns over potential congestion at the Panama Canal as planned lock maintenance approaches. According to reporting from Seatrade Maritime News, planned maintenance of the canal’s locks from June 9–17 is expected to reduce daily transit capacity by approximately ten slots per day. gCaptain reported that the Suez Canal is already operating close to its effective capacity, limiting its ability to absorb additional traffic.

Vessel queues are building at both ends of the canal, and demand for Panama Canal transits remains elevated, driven largely by rerouted trade flows linked to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis.

BIMCO reported that Panama Canal transits have increased 8% year-over-year to an average of 38 vessels per day, largely driven by tanker traffic. The organization also noted a recent acceleration, with transits rising 16% year-over-year over the past five weeks amid a surge in U.S. energy exports to Pacific markets.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have further intensified competition for available canal reservations. In recent months, the cost of transiting the Panama Canal has risen significantly, with prices reaching record levels.

gCaptain also reported forecasts pointing to a potential return of El Niño later this year, so weather-related risks are adding another layer of uncertainty, although the Panama Canal Authority has stated it has no plans to restrict vessel passage for the rest of 2026, even if El Niño weather pattern develops in the second half of this year.

Source: SeaTrade Maritime News, gCaptain, BIMCO