Due to the Middle East war, the Panama Canal is experiencing an increase in shipping traffic

The war in the Middle East to an increase in the number of ships crossing the Panama Canal, according to an official at the waterway located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

In response to US and Israeli attacks, Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz , through which about 20% of oil and liquefied natural gas destined for global markets passes.

This situation led to a diversion of some maritime traffic towards the Panama.

Elia Espino di Marotta, an official in the canal management, told Telemetro station: “We were expecting around 34 crossings per day this year, but in the last two weeks we have had 38, 39, 40 crossings.”.

A safe and short route

Five percent of global maritime trade passes through the Panama Canal, which is used mainly by the United States and China. This route primarily connects the East Coast of the United States with Beijing, South Korea, and Japan.

The official added: The Panama Canal is a safe and short route, and with current fuel prices, it still reduces costs.

But she warned that the passage of 40 ships a day is unsustainable in the long term due to the limited space.

She added that by April, the canal is expected to see renewed growth in the number of ships carrying liquefied natural gas, after a decline due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.