Panama Canal saw 2.8% transit increase through January despite tensions

By Elida Moreno and Marianna Parraga

PANAMA CITY, March 6 (Reuters) - The Panama Canal, the world's second busiest interoceanic way, saw a 2.8% increase in vessel transits in the first four months of its fiscal year through January, according to an analysis prepared by its authority seen by Reuters on Friday.

Most traffic increases were registered by tankers carrying energy products including liquefied natural gas (LNG), car carriers and dry bulk carriers, according to the report.

That growth represents 114 additional transits from the same period a year earlier to a total of 4,156 vessels in the four-month period, a sign that demand remained solid "despite increased global trade volatility, new tariffs, and geopolitical tensions," the Panama Canal Authority said in the report.

"Tanker (transits) rose 11.2%, driven by increased shipments from the United States due to higher demand for fuels and methanol from South Korea, Mexico, and Guatemala, resulting from trade agreements and tariff reductions," it added.

Analysts expect an increasing passage of vessels carrying U.S. LNG through Panama to reach destinations in Asia if problems at the Strait of Hormuz persist amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, which is already forcing vessel reroutes.

"The Panama Canal is operating in a stable and reliable manner despite geopolitical uncertainties, steadily increasing the number of daily transits and maintaining predictable service levels for our customers," it said.

The authority did not provide specific statistics after the U.S.-Iran conflict emerged, but said it is monitoring maritime trade.