Panama City:The Panama Canal reported a significant increase in revenue for the fiscal year 2026, generating a total of $6.6 billion, marking a 16.6% rise compared to the previous year.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Panama Canal Authority announced that vessel transits reached 13,951 from October 2025 to September 2026, reflecting a 4.1% increase over the prior fiscal year. This growth was primarily fueled by heightened activity in the energy shipping sector and containerships.
Panama Canal Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta highlighted that the results demonstrate the canal's capacity to accommodate the rising demand for global maritime trade. The canal has continued to adapt to the challenges posed by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which affects rainfall and subsequently the canal's water resources.
On October 15, the canal authority increased the daily transit slots to 33, thanks to improved rainfall conditions. The total vessel tonnage for the fiscal year reached 521 million tons, measured using the Panama Canal Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS).
The Panama Canal serves as a pivotal route for global trade, connecting 180 maritime routes and 1,920 ports across 170 countries. It plays a crucial role in shipping routes that link the US East Coast with Asia as well as the Americas with Europe.