Panama canal fees soar due to Iran war and El Niño as ship ‘pays $4m to jump queue’ - short news
Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping lane
Commercial ships travelling through the Panama canal are facing a rise in costs amid disruption triggered by the Iran war and falling water levels linked to this year’s intense El Niño weather system.
Highlighting the fragility of global trade, a container ship reportedly paid about $4m (£3m) to jump a queue of vessels waiting to pass through the vital maritime choke..
source: The Guardian - 12.08.2026