Low water levels have not just been a problem for shipping grain on the Mississippi river this year. The Panama Canal has also had its issues as the man-made Lake Gatun which feeds the canal and powers shipping has also dipped to low levels.
Lake Gatun is a man-made lake in proximity to the Panama Canal that feeds its locks to move shipping through the canal. However, the lake typically sits at 87 feet above sea level. Right now, the lake stands at 81 feet which means less traffic through the canal.
That is Mike Steenhoek executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition who says that vessels carrying grain do not get preferential treatment.
Unfortunately for U.S. grain producers, there have been multiple events and pressure points that have put strain on the ability to ship grain worldwide.
Steenhoek says that problems with shipping grain come with a cost and unfortunately that cost gets passed on and comes out of the pockets of farmers.
That was Mike Steenhoek executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.
