Panama Canal is bigger

Ya, put regen energy into batteries and lose by Coulomb efficiency both ways. Better to dispatch to other use including uphill trains

 

I will update.

Panama Canal is now at low (but not historically lowest) number of crossings per day, which by my reading were in 2023/2024. Realize that was after water-management improvements made it more resistant to droughts (water supply).

Global tensions elsewhere may have diverted some shipping there vs. Suez. I do not see how Hormuz crimped shipping could figure in.

Panama gets much rain on Sept. through Nov. in average years. Realize that strong El Nino is currently developing, and these do diminish rainfall over the entire country. I expect Canal crossings to continue decreasing until 2027 June, and later, if average rain does not fall during 2027 'wet season'.

Expect future clickbait on this topic, not least because about 70% of Canal crossings are by US-serving ships. Nor least because of 2026 US elections.

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Further expansion of Panama Canal water supply would include adding Rio Indios watershed; currently stalled because of harm to people living there. For 'the greater good' that will proceed perforce in 2027. You read it first here