{"id":17664,"date":"2026-10-05T06:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T11:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=17664"},"modified":"2026-10-04T11:21:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T16:21:51","slug":"global-fears-mount-96-of-hormuz-vessel-traffic-dead-and-11-in-panama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/global-fears-mount-96-of-hormuz-vessel-traffic-dead-and-11-in-panama\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Fears Mount! 96% of Hormuz Vessel Traffic Dead and 11% in Panama"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commercial vessel traffic through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=39932\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a> fell 96 percent between September 1 and 27, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, according to satellite tracking data from <a href=\"https:\/\/portwatch.imf.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMF PortWatch<\/a>. The collapse marks the most severe disruption among the world&#8217;s five <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=61003\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">strategic maritime chokepoints<\/a>, far outpacing declines at the <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/water-supply-boost-panama-canal-watershed-marks-first-favorable-month-of-2026\/\" rel=\"internal\">Panama Canal<\/a>, which recorded an 11 percent drop in daily transits over the same window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"et-diagram et-diagram--hierarchy\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><style>.et-diagram {\n  --et-bg: #ffffff;\n  --et-surface: #f7f9fb;\n  --et-surface-alt: #eef4f9;\n  --et-border: #dfe7ee;\n  --et-border-strong: #c2ced8;\n  --et-text: #0f1b29;\n  --et-text-muted: #556576;\n  --et-primary: #0a5fa8;\n  --et-primary-dark: #084a82;\n  --et-primary-soft: #e3eefa;\n  --et-accent: #cb4739;\n  --et-accent-dark: #a5372c;\n  --et-gold: #d9a441;\n  --et-success: #2e9e5b;\n  --et-warning: #e08c1a;\n  --et-danger: #cf3d3d;\n  --et-font: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, \"Helvetica Neue\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  --et-mono: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, \"SF Mono\", Menlo, Consolas, monospace;\n  --et-radius-sm: 6px;\n  --et-radius: 10px;\n  --et-radius-lg: 14px;\n}\n.et-diagram {\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.55 !important;\n  margin: clamp(18px, 3vw, 32px) 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  max-width: 100% !important;\n  box-sizing: border-box !important;\n  background: var(--et-bg) !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius-lg) !important;\n  overflow: hidden !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  display: block !important;\n}\n.et-diagram *,\n.et-diagram *::before,\n.et-diagram *::after { box-sizing: border-box !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__header {\n  display: flex !important;\n  align-items: center !important;\n  gap: clamp(8px, 1.5vw, 14px) !important;\n  padding: clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 14px) clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 20px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f7f9fb 0%, #eef4f9 100%) !important;\n  position: relative !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__header::after {\n  content: '' !important;\n  position: absolute !important;\n  left: 0 !important;\n  right: 0 !important;\n  bottom: -1px !important;\n  height: 2px !important;\n  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--et-accent), var(--et-gold), var(--et-primary)) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__logo {\n  height: clamp(24px, 3.5vw, 34px) !important;\n  width: clamp(24px, 3.5vw, 34px) !important;\n  flex-shrink: 0 !important;\n  display: block !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  border: 0 !important;\n  border-radius: 0 !important;\n  box-shadow: none !important;\n  object-fit: contain !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__title {\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(13px, 2vw, 16px) !important;\n  font-weight: 700 !important;\n  letter-spacing: -0.01em !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.3 !important;\n  flex: 1 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  text-transform: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body {\n  padding: clamp(18px, 3vw, 28px) clamp(14px, 2.4vw, 24px) clamp(20px, 3.2vw, 30px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > * + * {\n  margin-top: clamp(24px, 4vw, 40px) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > * + *::before {\n  content: '' !important;\n  display: block !important;\n  height: 1px !important;\n  background: var(--et-border) !important;\n  margin: clamp(-12px, -2vw, -20px) 0 clamp(12px, 2vw, 20px) 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > .et-notes + .et-notes::before {\n  display: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption {\n  padding: clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 14px) clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 20px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  border-top: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  background: var(--et-surface) !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  line-height: 1.5 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption cite {\n  font-style: normal !important;\n  font-weight: 600 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption a {\n  color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  text-decoration: underline !important;\n  text-underline-offset: 2px !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-tree {\n  list-style: none !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-tree ul {\n  list-style: none !important;\n  padding-left: clamp(14px, 2.5vw, 22px) !important;\n  margin: 8px 0 0 0 !important;\n  border-left: 1px dashed var(--et-border-strong) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-tree li {\n  position: relative !important;\n  padding: clamp(4px, 0.7vw, 6px) 0 clamp(4px, 0.7vw, 6px) clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 16px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(11px, 1.8vw, 14px) !important;\n  list-style: none !important;\n  line-height: 1.5 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-tree li::before {\n  content: '' !important;\n  position: absolute !important;\n  left: 0 !important;\n  top: clamp(12px, 2vw, 16px) !important;\n  width: clamp(6px, 1.2vw, 10px) !important;\n  height: 1px !important;\n  background: var(--et-border-strong) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-tree > li::before { display: none !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-tree__label {\n  display: inline-block !important;\n  padding: clamp(4px, 0.7vw, 5px) clamp(8px, 1.3vw, 12px) !important;\n  background: var(--et-surface) !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius-sm) !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-weight: 600 !important;\n  font-size: clamp(11px, 1.8vw, 13.5px) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.4 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-tree > li > .et-tree__label {\n  background: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  color: #fff !important;\n  border-color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes {\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: clamp(14px, 2.2vw, 20px) clamp(14px, 2.4vw, 22px) !important;\n  background: #fafbfc !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius-sm) !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10.5px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  line-height: 1.7 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  display: block !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes p {\n  margin: 0 0 clamp(10px, 1.6vw, 14px) 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10.5px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  line-height: 1.7 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0 !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-notes strong {\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  font-weight: 600 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes a {\n  color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  text-decoration: underline !important;\n  text-underline-offset: 2px !important;\n}\n@media (max-width: 640px) {}<\/style>\n  <figcaption class=\"et-diagram__header\">\n    <span class=\"et-diagram__logo-wrap\" itemprop=\"creator\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n      <meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Expat Times\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"et-diagram__logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" width=\"34\" height=\"34\" alt=\"Expat Times\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\n    <\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"et-diagram__title\" itemprop=\"name\">Global Maritime Chokepoints: Daily Ship Transit Changes 2025 vs 2026<\/h3>\n  <\/figcaption>\n  <div class=\"et-diagram__body\" itemprop=\"description\">\n    <ul class=\"et-tree\">\n      <li>\n        <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Global Maritime Chokepoints<\/span>\n        <ul>\n          <li>\n            <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Strait of Hormuz<\/span>\n            <ul>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">84.6 ships\/day (2025) \u2192 3.7 (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">Variation: -95.6%<\/span><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Bab el-Mandeb<\/span>\n            <ul>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">34.3 ships\/day (2025) \u2192 26.2 (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">Variation: -23.6%<\/span><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Strait of Malacca<\/span>\n            <ul>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">244.1 ships\/day (2025) \u2192 219.4 (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">Variation: -10.1%<\/span><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Panama Canal<\/span>\n            <ul>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">31.7 ships\/day (2025) \u2192 28.2 (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">Variation: -11.1%<\/span><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Suez Canal<\/span>\n            <ul>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">42.2 ships\/day (2025) \u2192 40.7 (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">Variation: -3.5%<\/span><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <span class=\"et-tree__label\">Cape of Good Hope (alternate route)<\/span>\n            <ul>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">94.1 ships\/day (2025) \u2192 86.6 (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n              <li><span class=\"et-tree__label\">Variation: -8.0%<\/span><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n    <div class=\"et-notes\">\n      <p><strong>Note:<\/strong> The Cape of Good Hope is the alternate route to Suez and Bab el-Mandeb, not a chokepoint itself.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"et-diagram__caption\">Source: <cite>IMF PortWatch<\/cite>, <a href=\"https:\/\/portwatch.imf.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">portwatch.imf.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The data reveals a global shipping network under simultaneous strain from geopolitical conflict, climate-driven water shortages, and shifting energy trade patterns. While Hormuz faces near-total paralysis, other chokepoints show varying degrees of contraction. Bab el-Mandeb lost 24 percent of daily vessel crossings, the Strait of Malacca declined 10 percent, and the Suez Canal dipped 4 percent. The Cape of Good Hope, an alternative route around Africa, also fell 8 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d6094554.514866016!2d52.0188555722513!3d25.43410251787082!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3ef7184c25840e51%3A0x3d7b86ccdd367e5a!2sStrait%20of%20Hormuz!5e0!3m2!1sen!2scr!4v1791130351123!5m2!1sen!2scr\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Panama Canal&#8217;s Self-Imposed Limits Reshape Vessel Mix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/news\/panama-condemns-strait-of-hormuz-attacks-at-un-security-council\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/news\/panama-condemns-strait-of-hormuz-attacks-at-un-security-council\/\">Hormuz<\/a>, where external conflict drives the collapse, Panama&#8217;s decline stems from operational restrictions imposed by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). Low water levels in Lake Gat\u00fan forced the ACP to cut reservation slots from 34 to 32 per day on September 15, with a planned increase to 33 on October 15. Maximum draft at the neopanamax locks rose to 49 feet on September 28, still one foot below the normal 50-foot ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"et-diagram et-diagram--auto\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><style>.et-diagram {\n  --et-bg: #ffffff;\n  --et-surface: #f7f9fb;\n  --et-surface-alt: #eef4f9;\n  --et-border: #dfe7ee;\n  --et-border-strong: #c2ced8;\n  --et-text: #0f1b29;\n  --et-text-muted: #556576;\n  --et-primary: #0a5fa8;\n  --et-primary-dark: #084a82;\n  --et-primary-soft: #e3eefa;\n  --et-accent: #cb4739;\n  --et-accent-dark: #a5372c;\n  --et-gold: #d9a441;\n  --et-success: #2e9e5b;\n  --et-warning: #e08c1a;\n  --et-danger: #cf3d3d;\n  --et-font: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, \"Helvetica Neue\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  --et-mono: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, \"SF Mono\", Menlo, Consolas, monospace;\n  --et-radius-sm: 6px;\n  --et-radius: 10px;\n  --et-radius-lg: 14px;\n}\n.et-diagram {\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.55 !important;\n  margin: clamp(18px, 3vw, 32px) 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  max-width: 100% !important;\n  box-sizing: border-box !important;\n  background: var(--et-bg) !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius-lg) !important;\n  overflow: hidden !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  display: block !important;\n}\n.et-diagram *,\n.et-diagram *::before,\n.et-diagram *::after { box-sizing: border-box !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__header {\n  display: flex !important;\n  align-items: center !important;\n  gap: clamp(8px, 1.5vw, 14px) !important;\n  padding: clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 14px) clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 20px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f7f9fb 0%, #eef4f9 100%) !important;\n  position: relative !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__header::after {\n  content: '' !important;\n  position: absolute !important;\n  left: 0 !important;\n  right: 0 !important;\n  bottom: -1px !important;\n  height: 2px !important;\n  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--et-accent), var(--et-gold), var(--et-primary)) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__logo {\n  height: clamp(24px, 3.5vw, 34px) !important;\n  width: clamp(24px, 3.5vw, 34px) !important;\n  flex-shrink: 0 !important;\n  display: block !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  border: 0 !important;\n  border-radius: 0 !important;\n  box-shadow: none !important;\n  object-fit: contain !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__title {\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(13px, 2vw, 16px) !important;\n  font-weight: 700 !important;\n  letter-spacing: -0.01em !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.3 !important;\n  flex: 1 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  text-transform: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body {\n  padding: clamp(18px, 3vw, 28px) clamp(14px, 2.4vw, 24px) clamp(20px, 3.2vw, 30px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > * + * {\n  margin-top: clamp(24px, 4vw, 40px) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > * + *::before {\n  content: '' !important;\n  display: block !important;\n  height: 1px !important;\n  background: var(--et-border) !important;\n  margin: clamp(-12px, -2vw, -20px) 0 clamp(12px, 2vw, 20px) 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > .et-notes + .et-notes::before {\n  display: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption {\n  padding: clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 14px) clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 20px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  border-top: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  background: var(--et-surface) !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  line-height: 1.5 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption cite {\n  font-style: normal !important;\n  font-weight: 600 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption a {\n  color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  text-decoration: underline !important;\n  text-underline-offset: 2px !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stats {\n  display: grid !important;\n  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr)) !important;\n  grid-auto-flow: row !important;\n  gap: clamp(4px, 0.6vw, 8px) !important;\n  align-items: stretch !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  margin-top: clamp(20px, 3vw, 32px) !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  width: 100% !important;\n  box-sizing: border-box !important;\n  direction: ltr !important;\n  float: none !important;\n  clear: both !important;\n  position: relative !important;\n  left: auto !important;\n  right: auto !important;\n  transform: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stats > *:not(.et-stat) {\n  display: none !important;\n  width: 0 !important;\n  height: 0 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  border: 0 !important;\n  position: absolute !important;\n  pointer-events: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stat {\n  order: 0 !important;\n  grid-column-start: auto !important;\n  grid-column-end: auto !important;\n  grid-row-start: auto !important;\n  grid-row-end: auto !important;\n  grid-area: auto !important;\n  direction: ltr !important;\n  float: none !important;\n  position: relative !important;\n  left: auto !important;\n  right: auto !important;\n  top: auto !important;\n  bottom: auto !important;\n  transform: none !important;\n  background: #f7f9fb !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-top: 3px solid var(--et-primary) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius) !important;\n  padding: clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 22px) clamp(10px, 1.6vw, 16px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  text-align: center !important;\n  box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(15, 27, 41, 0.04) !important;\n  box-sizing: border-box !important;\n  display: flex !important;\n  flex-direction: column !important;\n  justify-content: center !important;\n  gap: clamp(5px, 0.8vw, 9px) !important;\n  align-self: stretch !important;\n  width: auto !important;\n  min-width: 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stats > .et-stat:nth-child(1) { grid-column: 1 !important; grid-row: 1 !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-stats > .et-stat:nth-child(2) { grid-column: 2 !important; grid-row: 1 !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-stats > .et-stat:nth-child(3) { grid-column: 3 !important; grid-row: 1 !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-stats > .et-stat:nth-child(4) { grid-column: 4 !important; grid-row: 1 !important; }\n\n.et-diagram .et-stat:nth-child(2n) { border-top-color: var(--et-accent) !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-stat:nth-child(3n) { border-top-color: var(--et-gold) !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-stat span,\n.et-diagram .et-stat .et-stat__value,\n.et-diagram .et-stat .et-stat__label,\n.et-diagram .et-stat .et-stat__desc {\n  display: block !important;\n  width: 100% !important;\n  text-align: center !important;\n  float: none !important;\n  clear: both !important;\n  position: static !important;\n  left: auto !important;\n  right: auto !important;\n  transform: none !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  word-break: break-word !important;\n  overflow-wrap: anywhere !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stat .et-stat__value {\n  font-size: clamp(16px, 3vw, 24px) !important;\n  font-weight: 800 !important;\n  line-height: 1.15 !important;\n  letter-spacing: -0.02em !important;\n  color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stat .et-stat__label {\n  font-size: clamp(9px, 1.5vw, 11.5px) !important;\n  font-weight: 700 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  text-transform: uppercase !important;\n  letter-spacing: 0.05em !important;\n  line-height: 1.4 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  hyphens: auto !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-stat .et-stat__desc {\n  font-size: clamp(9px, 1.5vw, 11.5px) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  line-height: 1.45 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  max-height: 3.6em !important;\n  overflow: hidden !important;\n}\n@media (max-width: 640px) {}<\/style>\n  <figcaption class=\"et-diagram__header\">\n    <span class=\"et-diagram__logo-wrap\" itemprop=\"creator\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n      <meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Expat Times\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"et-diagram__logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" width=\"34\" height=\"34\" alt=\"Expat Times\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\n    <\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"et-diagram__title\" itemprop=\"name\">Panama Canal Transit Changes: Reservations, Draft, and Vessel Mix<\/h3>\n  <\/figcaption>\n  <div class=\"et-diagram__body\" itemprop=\"description\">\n    <div class=\"et-stats\">\n      <div class=\"et-stat\">\n        <span class=\"et-stat__value\">32<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__label\">Daily reservation slots<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__desc\">From Sept 15; rising to 33 from Oct 15<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"et-stat\">\n        <span class=\"et-stat__value\">49 ft<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__label\">Max draft at Neopanamax locks<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__desc\">From Sept 28; one foot below the normal max of 50<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"et-stat\">\n        <span class=\"et-stat__value\">+4%<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__label\">Tanker transits per day<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__desc\">Jul 1 &ndash; Sept 27, vs. 2025<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"et-stat\">\n        <span class=\"et-stat__value\">&minus;31%<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__label\">Bulk carrier transits per day<\/span>\n        <span class=\"et-stat__desc\">Same period, vs. 2025<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"et-diagram__caption\">Source: see article above<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The restrictions have triggered a dramatic shift in the types of vessels using the waterway. From July 1 through September 27, tanker transits increased 4 percent compared to 2025, while bulk carrier crossings plummeted 31 percent. The surge in tanker traffic reflects rising U.S. energy exports to Asia, according to Filipe Gouveia, shipping analysis manager at BIMCO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Bulk carriers have faced more competition for transit slots from other sectors, especially tankers, as the United States has increased its energy exports to Asia,&#8221; Gouveia said in an analysis dated September 18, 2026. &#8220;The drop in bulk carrier transits through the Panama Canal has resulted in detours via the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn.&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The numbers tell a stark story. Tankers added just 0.54 vessels per day, while bulk carriers lost 1.99 daily transits. The net loss leaves the Canal operating well below its sustainable capacity of 36 to 38 vessels per day, according to ACP advisory A-34. In August, the Canal moved 33.19 ships daily, but the first full week with 32 reservation slots saw traffic fall 14 percent year-over-year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strait of Hormuz and the Global Energy Chokepoint Crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The near-total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz carries outsized implications for global energy markets. The strait handles roughly one-quarter of the world&#8217;s seaborne crude oil and petroleum products, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. By comparison, the Panama Canal moves just 3 percent of global seaborne oil and derivatives, making it the smallest energy chokepoint among the five major passages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"et-diagram et-diagram--auto\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><style>.et-diagram {\n  --et-bg: #ffffff;\n  --et-surface: #f7f9fb;\n  --et-surface-alt: #eef4f9;\n  --et-border: #dfe7ee;\n  --et-border-strong: #c2ced8;\n  --et-text: #0f1b29;\n  --et-text-muted: #556576;\n  --et-primary: #0a5fa8;\n  --et-primary-dark: #084a82;\n  --et-primary-soft: #e3eefa;\n  --et-accent: #cb4739;\n  --et-accent-dark: #a5372c;\n  --et-gold: #d9a441;\n  --et-success: #2e9e5b;\n  --et-warning: #e08c1a;\n  --et-danger: #cf3d3d;\n  --et-font: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, \"Helvetica Neue\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  --et-mono: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, \"SF Mono\", Menlo, Consolas, monospace;\n  --et-radius-sm: 6px;\n  --et-radius: 10px;\n  --et-radius-lg: 14px;\n}\n.et-diagram {\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.55 !important;\n  margin: clamp(18px, 3vw, 32px) 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  max-width: 100% !important;\n  box-sizing: border-box !important;\n  background: var(--et-bg) !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius-lg) !important;\n  overflow: hidden !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  display: block !important;\n}\n.et-diagram *,\n.et-diagram *::before,\n.et-diagram *::after { box-sizing: border-box !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__header {\n  display: flex !important;\n  align-items: center !important;\n  gap: clamp(8px, 1.5vw, 14px) !important;\n  padding: clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 14px) clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 20px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f7f9fb 0%, #eef4f9 100%) !important;\n  position: relative !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__header::after {\n  content: '' !important;\n  position: absolute !important;\n  left: 0 !important;\n  right: 0 !important;\n  bottom: -1px !important;\n  height: 2px !important;\n  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--et-accent), var(--et-gold), var(--et-primary)) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__logo {\n  height: clamp(24px, 3.5vw, 34px) !important;\n  width: clamp(24px, 3.5vw, 34px) !important;\n  flex-shrink: 0 !important;\n  display: block !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  border: 0 !important;\n  border-radius: 0 !important;\n  box-shadow: none !important;\n  object-fit: contain !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__title {\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(13px, 2vw, 16px) !important;\n  font-weight: 700 !important;\n  letter-spacing: -0.01em !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  line-height: 1.3 !important;\n  flex: 1 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  text-transform: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body {\n  padding: clamp(18px, 3vw, 28px) clamp(14px, 2.4vw, 24px) clamp(20px, 3.2vw, 30px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > * + * {\n  margin-top: clamp(24px, 4vw, 40px) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > * + *::before {\n  content: '' !important;\n  display: block !important;\n  height: 1px !important;\n  background: var(--et-border) !important;\n  margin: clamp(-12px, -2vw, -20px) 0 clamp(12px, 2vw, 20px) 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__body > .et-notes + .et-notes::before {\n  display: none !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption {\n  padding: clamp(10px, 1.8vw, 14px) clamp(12px, 2.2vw, 20px) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  border-top: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  background: var(--et-surface) !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  line-height: 1.5 !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption cite {\n  font-style: normal !important;\n  font-weight: 600 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-diagram__caption a {\n  color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  text-decoration: underline !important;\n  text-underline-offset: 2px !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table-wrap {\n  overflow-x: auto !important;\n  -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  max-width: 100% !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table {\n  width: 100% !important;\n  max-width: 100% !important;\n  border-collapse: collapse !important;\n  border-spacing: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10px, 1.7vw, 14px) !important;\n  background: var(--et-bg) !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  table-layout: fixed !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table th,\n.et-diagram .et-table td {\n  padding: clamp(8px, 1.3vw, 12px) clamp(10px, 1.5vw, 16px) !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  border: 0 !important;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  vertical-align: top !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10px, 1.7vw, 14px) !important;\n  line-height: 1.45 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  background: transparent !important;\n  word-break: break-word !important;\n  overflow-wrap: anywhere !important;\n  hyphens: auto !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table thead th {\n  background: var(--et-surface-alt) !important;\n  font-weight: 700 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--et-border-strong) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(9px, 1.5vw, 13px) !important;\n  text-transform: uppercase !important;\n  letter-spacing: 0.03em !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table tbody tr:last-child td {\n  border-bottom: 0 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) {\n  background: #fafbfc !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) td {\n  background: transparent !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-table small {\n  display: block !important;\n  font-size: clamp(8px, 1.4vw, 11px) !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  line-height: 1.35 !important;\n  margin-top: 3px !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes {\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: clamp(14px, 2.2vw, 20px) clamp(14px, 2.4vw, 22px) !important;\n  background: #fafbfc !important;\n  border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important;\n  border-radius: var(--et-radius-sm) !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10.5px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  line-height: 1.7 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n  text-align: left !important;\n  display: block !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes p {\n  margin: 0 0 clamp(10px, 1.6vw, 14px) 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-family: var(--et-font) !important;\n  font-size: clamp(10.5px, 1.7vw, 12.5px) !important;\n  line-height: 1.7 !important;\n  color: var(--et-text-muted) !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0 !important; }\n.et-diagram .et-notes strong {\n  color: var(--et-text) !important;\n  font-weight: 600 !important;\n}\n.et-diagram .et-notes a {\n  color: var(--et-primary) !important;\n  text-decoration: underline !important;\n  text-underline-offset: 2px !important;\n}\n@media (max-width: 640px) {.et-diagram .et-table { table-layout: auto !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack thead { display: none !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack, .et-diagram .et-table--stack tbody, .et-diagram .et-table--stack tr, .et-diagram .et-table--stack td, .et-diagram .et-table--stack th { display: block !important; width: 100% !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack tr { margin-bottom: 12px !important; border: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important; border-radius: var(--et-radius-sm) !important; overflow: hidden !important; background: var(--et-bg) !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: var(--et-bg) !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack td { border: 0 !important; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important; padding: 10px 14px !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; gap: 3px !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack td:last-child { border-bottom: 0 !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack td::before { content: attr(data-label) !important; font-size: 11px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; letter-spacing: 0.05em !important; color: var(--et-text-muted) !important; display: block !important; }.et-diagram .et-table--stack th[scope=\"row\"] { display: block !important; width: 100% !important; background: var(--et-surface-alt) !important; color: var(--et-text) !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-size: 14px !important; padding: 12px 14px !important; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--et-border) !important; text-align: left !important; }}<\/style>\n  <figcaption class=\"et-diagram__header\">\n    <span class=\"et-diagram__logo-wrap\" itemprop=\"creator\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n      <meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Expat Times\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"et-diagram__logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" width=\"34\" height=\"34\" alt=\"Expat Times\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\n    <\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"et-diagram__title\" itemprop=\"name\">Five Critical Oil Chokepoints: Flows, Status, and Alternate Routes<\/h3>\n  <\/figcaption>\n  <div class=\"et-diagram__body\" itemprop=\"description\">\n    <div class=\"et-table-wrap\">\n      <table class=\"et-table\">\n        <thead>\n          <tr>\n            <th scope=\"col\">Chokepoint<\/th>\n            <th scope=\"col\">Oil crossing<\/th>\n            <th scope=\"col\">Current status<\/th>\n            <th scope=\"col\">Alternate route<\/th>\n          <\/tr>\n        <\/thead>\n        <tbody>\n          <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Chokepoint\">Malacca<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Oil crossing\">23.2 M b\/d &middot; 29%<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Current status\">Open; 18% fewer tankers<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Alternate route\">Sunda or Lombok Straits, Indonesia<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n          <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Chokepoint\">Hormuz<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Oil crossing\">20.9 M b\/d &middot; 26%<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Current status\">4 ships per day, vs. 85 a year ago<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Alternate route\">No sea route; Saudi and UAE pipelines (4.7 M b\/d capacity)<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n          <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Chokepoint\">Suez and SUMED pipeline<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Oil crossing\">4.9 M b\/d &middot; 6%<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Current status\">Open; 4% fewer ships<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Alternate route\">Cape of Good Hope: about 15 extra days from Arabian Sea to Europe<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n          <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Chokepoint\">Bab el-Mandeb<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Oil crossing\">4.2 M b\/d &middot; 5%<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Current status\">Houthi risk; 24% fewer ships<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Alternate route\">Cape of Good Hope, same route that avoids Suez<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n          <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Chokepoint\">Panama Canal<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Oil crossing\">2.3 M b\/d &middot; 3%<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Current status\">32 reservation slots (33 from Oct 15) and 49 ft draft<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Alternate route\">Strait of Magellan or Cape Horn: up to 8,000 extra miles<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n        <\/tbody>\n      <\/table>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"et-notes\">\n      <p><strong>Crude oil and refined products<\/strong>, in millions of barrels per day, and share of seaborne oil trade.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"et-diagram__caption\">Source: <cite>EIA<\/cite>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">eia.gov<\/a>; <cite>IMF PortWatch<\/cite>, <a href=\"https:\/\/portwatch.imf.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">portwatch.imf.org<\/a>; <cite>Panama Canal Authority (ACP)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Malacca, which carries 29 percent of seaborne crude and refined products, remains open but under pressure. Tanker traffic through the strait fell 18 percent during the September monitoring period. In 2023, nearly 60 percent of the crude oil transiting Malacca originated from Persian Gulf producers, highlighting the interconnected nature of these chokepoints. A disruption at Hormuz inevitably cascades into reduced volumes at Malacca weeks later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shipping Industry Adapts to a Fragmented Trade Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The simultaneous pressures on multiple chokepoints are forcing shippers to rethink routing strategies. Bulk carriers abandoning the Panama Canal face longer voyages around Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks and fuel costs to each journey. BIMCO&#8217;s own data shows a 22 percent decline in bulk carrier transits through Panama since July, attributing the drop to both El Ni\u00f1o weather patterns and Canal restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"M N First Margaux. By Maritime T.\" class=\"wp-image-17135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panamanian-vessel-margarite-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">M N First Margaux. By Maritime T.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For importers and exporters relying on bulk commodities through Panama, the new reality demands earlier reservation planning or budgeting for extended routes. Investors in logistics infrastructure are watching the vessel mix shift closely. The tanker gains do not offset bulk carrier losses, leaving the Canal with reduced overall traffic and a changing customer base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The IMF PortWatch data underscores a broader truth about maritime trade in late 2026. Chokepoints once assumed stable are now variables. Whether from conflict, climate, or commercial competition, the world&#8217;s shipping arteries are contracting simultaneously. The Strait of Hormuz may be the most dramatic case, but the pressures at Panama, Malacca, and Bab el-Mandeb suggest a shipping industry navigating a permanently altered map.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell 96 percent between September 1 and 27, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, according to satellite tracking data from IMF PortWatch. The collapse marks the most severe disruption among the world&#8217;s five strategic maritime chokepoints, far outpacing declines at the Panama Canal, which recorded<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17665,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,87,28],"tags":[793,7341,1195,7342,105],"class_list":["post-17664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-economy","category-featured","category-news","tag-energy","tag-global-shipping-routes","tag-maritime","tag-maritime-chokepoints","tag-shipping"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17664"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17667,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17664\/revisions\/17667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}