Supply Chain Research

The Panama Canal has seen a continued downturn in traffic in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions to global shipping. Total transits fell by 16.5% year over year in September despite a marked surge in global trade volumes. While the Canal offers a faster route to the U.S. east coast from Asia in normal times, container lines may not be utilizing the opportunity yet. U.S. seaborne imports from eight Asian countries to west coast ports climbed 21.3% year over year in September while those to the east coast only rose by 6.5%. Congestion at Californian ports may work to the Panama Canal’s advant...