The Panama Canal Authority warned on Monday that it may further reduce the daily ship transit limit to as low as 29 by February or March, from the current 34 (effective Sept 4) and 32 (effective Sept 15), if the drought caused by a strengthening El Niño persists. The canal, handling 5% of global maritime trade, relies on freshwater for its locks. Panama declared a nationwide state of emergency over El Niño on August 26.