Iran war and rising fuel costs could boost Panama Canal traffic, administrator says

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel costs could ultimately benefit the interoceanic waterway as global shippers adjust routes.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Vásquez said that higher energy, fuel and navigation costs could make the Panama Canal a more attractive option for commercial traffic.

“When costs increase, in general when the price of marine fuel rises, the Panama Canal becomes a more attractive route,” Vásquez said.

Oil prices have risen amid the war in the Middle East, which has led to the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks. About one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.

If higher energy costs persist, routing cargo through Panama can cut voyages by between three and 15 days, depending on the route, while reducing fuel consumption, he said.

Vásquez said higher fuel costs are expected to affect container ships, bulk carriers and tankers transporting liquefied natural gas. If Middle Eastern supplies are disrupted, shipments may be replaced by other sources, including the United States, which could redirect some LNG cargo from Europe to Asia via Panama.

Gerardo Bósquez, an executive with the Panama Maritime Chamber, said a prolonged conflict could reshape global trade routes, with gas transport among the segments likely to benefit.

Vásquez cautioned that any changes will not be immediate and will depend on how long cargo operators expect the conflict and instability in the Gulf last.

An LPG tanker transits the Panama Canal in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A bulk carrier and a cargo ship transit the Panama Canal in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A cargo ship sails under Las Americas bridge through the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez speaks during an interview in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A cargo ship transits the Panama Canal in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic doesn't need an excuse to pile on points, so when Chicago guard Matas Buzelis started jawing with him Thursday night, it became the fuel for his first 50-point game with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Doncic turned what he called unprovoked trash talk from Buzelis into 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory.

“It always feels special,” Doncic said after his eighth career 50-point game. “I obviously haven’t had a 50-point game in a year, so it was very special. I mean, in the second quarter, I kind of felt it. You know, somebody started talking to me, so that woke me up.”

Doncic would not disclose what was said by Buzelis, a second-year forward, because, “I would say that I would definitely get a tech.”

It wasn’t like Doncic needed any extra inspiration, either. The NBA scoring leader got off to a strong start with 12 points in the first quarter and had another 12 in the second by making 5 of 6 shots from the field once Buzelis decided to get garrulous.

Doncic ripped off 17 points in the third quarter before notching 10 points on just four field goal attempts in the fourth. He finished 17 of 31 from the field, going 9 of 14 from 3, and 8 for 9 on free throws.

Lakers coach JJ Redick described Doncic’s ability to direct the unsporting words or deeds of opponents into his own game as a “unique trait.

“It’s not just the fact that he response to a rough play or trash talking, it’s that he can channel it, and he can channel it while still doing all the other things that needs to be done,” Redick said. “That’s obviously reflective of, you know, his defensive rebounding, his assists, his steals. Again, another game where he gets a high assist number with low turnovers.”

Buzelis picked an especially bad time to challenge Doncic, who had averaged 39.5 points per game during the Lakers’ previous three wins with LeBron James out because of right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot. That included Doncic scoring 44 points against Indiana on Friday.

Doncic has 13 40-point games in 82 regular-season appearances for Los Angeles, moving into ninth in franchise history. Eleven of those have come this season.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) and Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)