Panama Canal Administrator Says Rio Indio Project Will End Drought-Driven Draft Cuts — But It's 5-6 Years Away

Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta said on Sept. 7 that the Rio Indio water-supply project, once complete, 'will guarantee that the canal won't have to resort again to either draft reductions or transit reductions' during dry periods — but cautioned the infrastructure is five to six years from completion. The comments came as the canal continues operating under El Niño-driven drought restrictions: daily transit slots were cut Sept. 3 (Neopanamax to 9, Panamax to 25, falling to 23 on Sept. 15) and a further Neopanamax draft reduction to 47.5 feet, originally set for Oct. 1, remains postponed at the current 48.0-foot limit. Espino de Marotta said the Authority may need to impose additional restrictions in the near term if rainfall over the next three months fails to lift reservoir levels in the Gatun watershed.