News / Don't be too eager for return to west coast ports, shippers warned

© Gillian Hardy

Shippers are being warned against a hasty return to the US west coast after an apparent breakthrough in contract disputes and while there are concerns over an “unprecedented” drought in the Panama Canal.

Reports over the past week have suggested the El Niño weather system will result in historic lows along the famous canal bringing stricter draught restrictions and threats of a complete halt to container shipping transits.

Shipping advisor Dr Walter Kemmsies, of the Kemmsies group, told The Loadstar: “Draught restrictions ...