Panama · Atlantic ↔ Pacific
Panama Canal — Ship Transits Today
Daily vessel transits through the Panama Canal, by ship type, compared with the same week last year. Updated daily.
Daily transits, last 90 days
By vessel type
Ships/day, 7-day average| Type | Ships/day |
|---|---|
| Container ships | 8.4 |
| Tankers | 12.3 |
| Dry bulk | 2.9 |
| General cargo | 2.7 |
| Ro-ro | 2.4 |
Cargo-carrying capacity transiting (deadweight) is -8% against the same week last year.
About the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific through a lock system fed by fresh water from Gatun Lake. It is the key route between the US East and Gulf Coasts and Asia, and between Asia and the west coast of South America.
Low rainfall lowers Gatun Lake, which forces the canal authority to cut daily slots and maximum draught — as in the 2023–24 drought. Fewer daily transits here usually mean queues, auction slot prices and cargo shifted to other routes.
Source: IMF PortWatch daily chokepoint transits, built from satellite AIS by the IMF and the University of Oxford.
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Questions
How many ships pass through the Panama Canal per day?
In the 7 days to 25 October 2026, an average of 28.7 vessels a day transited the Panama Canal, compared with 32.9 a day in the same week last year (-13%).
Is the Panama Canal open?
Yes — ships were transiting the Panama Canal in the latest data (25 October 2026). Traffic is currently below normal compared with last year.
What disrupts traffic through the Panama Canal?
Low rainfall lowers Gatun Lake, which forces the canal authority to cut daily slots and maximum draught — as in the 2023–24 drought. Fewer daily transits here usually mean queues, auction slot prices and cargo shifted to other routes.
Where does this data come from?
IMF PortWatch, which counts vessel crossings from satellite AIS. Shyppy refreshes it daily and compares the 7-day average with the same week a year earlier.
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