Panama Canal

CK Hutchison is demanding over $1.5 billion from Panama for damages to its investments. The lawsuit stems from the seizure of two ports located at the ends of the Panama Canal by the country.

Global shipping costs are surging due to war and climate change. Rates have jumped on routes including Panama Canal, Rhine, Red Sea, and Black Sea. Furthermore, a closure at Hormuz is negatively impacting seaborne trade.

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis' attacks on Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait highlight risks to global maritime navigation. Experts analyze implications for other critical waterways like the Strait of Malacca, Taiwan Strait, Panama Canal, Suez Canal, and Turkish Straits.

The US Southern Command launched Panamax 2026, a multinational military exercise around the Panama Canal involving Brazil and 18+ partner armies from August 3 to 13. The US also established a 'Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere' focused on combating narcoterrorism and other threats.

The Panama Canal Authority is reducing the maximum vessel draft to 48.5 feet by mid-August 2026 due to a strengthening El Niño threatening Gatun Lake water levels. Daily transits remain unchanged despite tighter draft limits.

The Trump administration plans to allocate $175.8 million to upgrade undersea telecommunications cables in the Caribbean and Central America to counter China's influence, following budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It also considers spending nearly half a billion dollars globally to counter Chinese economic and technological activities in regions like the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

The Trump administration plans to increase funding by hundreds of millions of dollars to counter China's global influence, including $175.8 million for undersea telecommunications cables in the Caribbean and Central America. The State Department also considers allocating nearly half a billion additional dollars for programs targeting China's economic and technological activities in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and Asia.

The Trump administration plans to increase funding by hundreds of millions of dollars to counter China's influence globally, including replacing undersea cables in the Caribbean and Central America with $175.8 million. The State Department is considering nearly half a billion more for programs in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and Asia to address risks posed by China's economic activities.

Southwest Airlines chartered a ship to transport 12.6 million gallons of jet fuel from Houston to Los Angeles through the Panama Canal during a spring supply crunch. The move utilized a Jones Act waiver to facilitate the shipment.

The Panama Canal is reducing the maximum ship draft to 49.0 feet starting July 24 to conserve water amid concerns over El Niño.

Panama's economy grew 5.19% in May 2026, more than doubling the 2.95% growth rate from the same month a year earlier. The IMAE index rose 4.88% in the first five months of 2026, indicating sustained economic momentum.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged support for the Panama Canal’s neutrality protocol during a meeting with Panamanian President Juan Raúl Mulino Quintero. The statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to regain control of the canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999. Both leaders emphasized strengthening bilateral cooperation and respecting sovereignty.

Panama and Japan's shipowners agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation. This agreement is a key development as Panama seeks to defend its Canal and maintain its status as the world's largest ship registry.

Citi upgraded Panama's 2026 growth forecast to 4.4% from 4.1%, citing benefits to the Panama Canal from ships rerouting around the Middle East conflict. Panama's economy grew 4.8% recently, according to the report.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz warned that Chinese and Russian intelligence sites in Cuba pose an active national security threat near U.S. shores. He cited the Trump administration's efforts to counter foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere, including reduced adversarial presence in Venezuela and around the Panama Canal. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush separately raised concerns about Iran's reported deployment of 300 Shahed-136 drones in Cuba.

Panama's weather service has upgraded the El Niño event to a strong level, posing a threat to the Panama Canal, which relies on rainwater. A commission monitoring reservoirs includes the authority responsible for the canal.

The Panama Canal is expected to exceed its $5.2 billion annual revenue forecast due to increased ship traffic rerouted from the closed Strait of Hormuz. Daily crossings peaked at 40-41 ships, up from the usual 34.

Trump interacted with an AI-powered version of Theodore Roosevelt at the presidential library in North Dakota, asking about the Panama Canal. The event took place at the library dedicated to Roosevelt.

The Panama Canal experienced an increase in revenue during the Iran conflict. The conflict may have influenced shipping routes, leading to higher canal usage and income.

The Panama Canal reported revenue exceeding forecasts following the closure of Hormuz. The Gas Amethyst, a liquefied petroleum gas and ammonia carrier, was observed navigating the Agua Clara locks on June 11, 2026.

Panama revoked a Hong Kong company's control of two ports at the Panama Canal, prompting China to detain a record number of Panama-flagged ships. In April, China held 136 such vessels, significantly exceeding usual rates.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected claims of US pressure influencing his government's handling of a dispute over ports near the Panama Canal. Panama aims to stabilize relations with China and renew a key maritime agreement amid accusations from China that 'third parties' are interfering in bilateral ties.

Iran faces global criticism for imposing a $2 million fee for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The article examines why Egypt and Panama can charge tolls for their canals, but Iran's similar demand is met with outrage.

Iran has been widely condemned for demanding up to $2 million for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The article examines why Egypt and Panama can charge for their canals but Iran cannot.

Container shipping routes are changing due to the Iran war, with ships increasingly sailing through India and Sri Lanka, and via the Panama Canal, which could lead to higher prices of goods. This shift in routes is a result of the ongoing conflict. The new routes may cause increased costs for shipping.

The article discusses escalating tensions between the United States and China over the strategic control of the Panama Canal, highlighting their competition in the global shipping power struggle. The situation mirrors past disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about regional stability and maritime trade routes.

China has detained nearly 70 Panamanian-flagged ships in retaliation following a Supreme Court ruling on the Panama Canal, according to US officials. The move has drawn criticism from the US and Latin American countries.

The number of oil tankers transporting US crude oil through the Panama Canal is nearing a four-year high. A tanker ship was recently observed navigating the Miraflores locks, a critical section of the canal.

The article highlights that the Strait of Hormuz is not the only vulnerable point in global trade, as other critical shipping routes like the Strait of Malacca and Panama Canal also face risks. These vulnerabilities threaten the stability of international trade networks.