Panama. The Panama Canal stated on Monday that it would be premature to predict the possible impact on the waterway from the crisis in the Middle East, which is already affecting maritime traffic in the region, and that it continues to monitor the evolution of the situation. In a statement, the administration of the 82-kilometer navigable route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific affirmed that it 'permanently monitors the evolution of international maritime trade and the dynamics that may influence its flows.' Regarding 'recent events in the Middle East' and considering the changing nature of the situation, 'at this time it would be premature to anticipate possible consequences or specific impacts that these events could have on the transit of vessels through the interoceanic route,' through which 3% to 6% of world trade passes. 'The Panama Canal continues to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably, reaffirming its commitment to providing continuous and uninterrupted service to the global maritime community,' added the Canal. On Monday, some of the main shipping companies in the Asia-Pacific region announced the suspension or reorganization of their activities in the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global energy trade, amid the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. As early as Saturday, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a recommendation for commercial vessels to avoid sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. Iran's Revolutionary Guard also warned that maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital point for oil and commercial traffic in the region, is no longer safe. Around 20% of the oil and a significant portion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) traded by sea globally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the UN. About 84% of crude oil and condensate and 83% of LNG that passed through Hormuz in 2024 were destined for Asian markets, including China, India, and Japan, according to the EIA.
