PANAMA CITY, Nov 19 (Reuters) – The wait time to cross by means of the Panama Canal has shortened to 4 days, down from greater than 10 days final month, the authority that runs the waterway stated on Thursday.

“We have reduced by 60 percent the wait time for vessels after measures applied amid an unusual demand and extreme weather conditions,” the authority stated in a press release.

To shorten the backlog, non-critical upkeep was postponed, bookings for precedence passage have been lowered twice since mid-October and extra crews have been assigned to extend capability on the canal’s locks.

More vessels coming from the U.S. Gulf Coast and bigger tankers making an attempt to cross by means of the canal contributed to the backlog, based on the canal authority.

Several days of fog affected 107 vessels and a decrease lake degree additionally elevated the wait time.

Tracking methods confirmed greater than 130 vessels on the finish of October between the canal’s two anchorages, together with bulkers and tankers.

The authority confirmed it had obtained a number of complains from customers. A standard ready interval is 24-36 hours. (Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Marianna Parraga; Editing by Sandra Maler)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015.

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