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Panama canal fees soar due to Iran war and El Niño as ship ‘pays $4m to jump queue’

The Guardian World Wednesday 12 August 2026, 12:26 UTC By Joanna Partridge 1 min read
Key Points

Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping laneBusiness live – latest updatesCommercial 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...

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 point.

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Panama (LOCATION) Iran (LOCATION) El Niño (PERSON) the Panama Canal (LOCATION) the Iran war (EVENT)
Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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Panama canal fees soar due to Iran war and El Niño as ship ‘pays $4m to jump queue’

Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping laneBusiness live – latest updatesCommercial 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...

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