To reduce the risk of collisions between ships and whales in the Gulf of Panama, the Panama Canal Authority has reminded that, from August 1 to November 30, ships must reduce their speed to 10 knots.

This warning to maritime transport is based on the regulations approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2014, which limits the navigation speed of vessels to 10 knots in the established areas. The measure will be applied to the maritime traffic separation devices (TSS) located in Cristobal, in the Caribbean Sea and on the Pacific Ocean coast, both in the navigation routes of the entrances to the Panama Canal, which are “convergence zones and high density . “This, as a measure to preserve whales.”

This will increase navigation safety in areas of convergence and high traffic density, as well as in those areas where the freedom of movement of vessels is reduced by space restrictions, navigation obstacles, depth limitations, unfavorable weather conditions, exploitation of fishing resources, coastal areas and the presence of sensitive marine species of importance for the protection of species and their habitats, explained El Faro.

Whales travel more than 8,000 kilometers each year from the South Pole to Panamanian waters, passing through the Pacific coast of South America. The cetaceans arrive to have their young and then return. This occurs during an interesting period of “genetic exchange” that begins in August and ends in November.

According to El Faro magazine, environmental specialists define what is happening very well: “the passage of cetaceans through Panama’s jurisdictional waters is one of the most important phenomena from the point of view of the biodiversity chain.”

The Canal’s notice was given through Notice to Shipment No. A-24-2024, signed by the interim Vice President of Operations, Rubén G. Pérez, on July 26, 2024, addressed to all maritime agents, owners and operators.