Aug. 23 (UPI) — The global shipping industry is facing challenges due to congestion at two of the busiest waterways in the world.
Hundreds of ships are currently stuck in queues at the Panama Canal, while the Bosporus and the Dardanelles have been closed to shipping traffic as a result of ongoing wildfires in Turkey. These disruptions are causing significant delays and complications in the shipping sector.
Difficult drought conditions at the Panama Canal have made it increasingly difficult for ships to pass through on their way to their final destinations. To facilitate ship transit, the canal relies on fresh water to fill locks, which are then emptied into the ocean. However, the ongoing drought has forced authorities to recycle lock water and limit the number of ships transiting daily. Previously, 36 ships were allowed per day, but now the limit is set at 32 ships.
As a result of the water shortage and increased demand, shipping companies are being required to pay extra fees to use the canal. This has compelled some companies to redirect their vessels, seeking alternative routes to avoid the delays and additional costs. Unfortunately, these delays are predicted to result in losses of up to $200 million for Panama and are also likely to contribute to a rise in food and fuel prices globally.
In a separate issue, the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits in Turkey have been temporarily closed to shipping traffic. This closure is intended to facilitate firefighting efforts against the local wildfires by allowing aircraft to operate more effectively. However, it has caused approximately 300 cargo transport ships to be stranded, awaiting permission to cross.
These challenges highlight the significant disruptions and complications faced by the global shipping industry. Efforts are being made to mitigate the impact, but it is clear that these obstacles are causing substantial delays and economic consequences.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
