Businesses are facing unprecedented costs to navigate the Panama Canal, with reports of payments reaching up to $4 million as a result of the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. This blockade has driven shipping companies to reroute significant shipments of oil and gas, inflating demand and auction prices at the Canal. Officials have acknowledged a surge in traffic and delays, while simultaneously downplaying congestion fears. The situation has elevated the financial stakes for businesses relying on global shipping routes, with substantial sums being allocated to ensure timely deliveries as the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve.