The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has cautioned that overall traffic through the waterway will remain below pre-drought levels next year, as softer US import demand restrains growth. Container Ships Defy the TrendContainer ship traffic has proven remarkably resilient despite last year’s drought. Outlook for 2026 and Market ImplicationsACP Administrator Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales confirmed that overall traffic will average 33 transits per day next year, underscoring the lasting impact of weaker US import demand. The Panama Canal is at once experiencing record highs in container traffic and restrained overall transit figures. Monitoring tools such as AXSInsights provide shippers and analysts with real-time visibility into traffic at the Panama Canal, Suez Canal, and other key chokepoints, offering crucial insights for navigating these market shifts.