The dwindling of the Panama Canal boosts rival trade routes
But they may end up more complementary than competitive
IT HAS BEEN an unhappy new year in the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Houthi rebels began attacking vessels passing into the Red Sea through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in early December. Trade volumes through the Suez Canal dropped by 40% as ships diverted around southern Africa. Trade through the Panama Canal, the second-busiest man-made shipping lane, has also dipped by 30% since November.
Explore more
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Dire straits”
From the January 13th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the edition
Brazil is bashing its patron saint of the environment
Congress is bulldozing environmental laws. Marina Silva wants to stop it
Inside the secret military dialogue between Britain and Argentina
A deal would counter China and please America. It requires deft diplomacy on the Falklands
Cuba’s leaders fiddle the figures
But they can’t avoid the summer heat—and their disgruntled compatriots
Canada makes a first concession to Donald Trump
Mark Carney is hoping it does not lead to more demands
Brazil’s president is losing clout abroad and unpopular at home
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva put Brazil on the map, but he hasn’t adapted to a changed world
Brazil’s president is losing clout abroad and unpopular at home
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva put Brazil on the map, but he hasn’t adapted to a changed world