The US-built canal's main users are the United States, China, Japan, Chile and South Korea.

Demand to urgently pass through the waterway has soared after the Iran war upended global trade routes, particularly to Asia.

A liquefied petroleum gas tanker has paid a record R84.8 million for priority passage through the Panama Canal, ahead of transit restrictions linked to El Niño and severe drought.

A tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas has paid $5.3 million for priority passage through the Panama Canal ahead of El Nino-related restrictions, the waterway’s deputy…