Panama may be a small country in Central America. However, the nation has a huge role in global trade. More than 14,000 ships sail through the Panama Canal each year. That saves time and fuel (and money) as the ships travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. However, more than 100 ships are now waiting to cross the canal. Some of them have been stuck for more than two weeks! The reason for this traffic jam at the Panama Canal is a serious drought in Panama. As a result, the water of the canal is at a lower level. Fewer ships are able to pass through the canal. Up to 38 ships can usually pass through the Panama Canal each day. However, officials have limited the number to just 32 ships since July 30. This new rule may be in place for the rest of the year. And more and more ships are stuck waiting to get through. On August 10, there were 161 ships in line to cross the Panama Canal. The traffic has gotten a bit better since then. On August 22, there were 128 ships waiting for their turn. However, this is still much more traffic than usual. During normal times, there are fewer than 90 ships in line to cross.