Panama Canal Imposes Ship Speed Limit to Protect Whales

A 10-knot speed limit has been introduced by the Panama Canal to protect whales, dolphins and other big marine mammals from ship strikes. The speed limit will coincide with seasonal migration periods from 1 August to 30 November.

The suggestions are included in the IMO's Maritime Traffic Organization publication aimed at increasing navigation safety in converging regions and high-traffic regions or where the freedom of motion of ships is restricted owing to spatial constraints, barriers to navigation, depth constraints, unfavorable weather conditions, exploitation of fishery resources or delicate conditions