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The Panama Canal Authority is aiming to lure back lost energy trade with changes to its booking system for LNG canal transits, and with a new LNG pipeline project offering energy and tanker companies an alternative to move the commodity across the critical global shipping gateway.

Ricaurte Vásquez, administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, tells CNBC that the canal is moving closer to reinstating a preferred booking slot system for LNG carriers as a way to bring back more of the business. LNG prebooking was removed during drought years and has not returned to date.

“We most likely will reinstate that window of reservations for LNG vessels effective next year,” Vásquez tells CNBC. The Panama Canal has moved to a long-term slot allocation approach, a booking system that allowed for a full year of reservations, but he conceded it “was used very little by LNG this year.”

“We have revamped the product after conversations with customers,” he said, and he added that the Panama Canal Authority plans to announce additional packages for LNG transits that would provide flexibility in changing the tanker type and transit dates.

“I think it’s going to be helpful for them to schedule transits to the Panama Canal,” Vásquez said. “We have some packages that will be very specific, and we have seen shipping companies that go for very specific transits. … We are fine-tuning some of the elements after conversations with the industry, and I think that is going to help,” he added.

Years of severe drought cost the Panama Canal a significant amount of its liquified natural gas trade. Restrictions on vessel weights due to low water levels sent LNG tankers on other shipping routes, and led to a decline in LNG transits through the canal that reached as high as 73%. Even as conditions have improved, LNG shipments have not returned to previous levels, with carriers continuing to choose the longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

To free up additional vessel slots for LNG, the canal is also in the process of an ambitious pipeline project, creating what is being called the Interoceanic Energy Corridor. Instead of tankers carrying natural gas liquids, including ethane, butane and propane, through the canal, the NGLs would travel through a 76-kilometer pipeline connecting the Atlantic and Pacific ports. Two maritime terminals would be built to accommodate the tankers. Approximately 2.5 million barrels of energy products per day could be moved through the pipeline.

On Thursday, canal officials met with approximately 30 corporations from Asia, the U.S., and South America interested in the natural gas terminals and pipelines, including Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66 and Shell.

Vásquez also noted “a very good reaction from the Asian market.” Itochu Corporation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mitsubishi, Movement Industries, Nippon Koei, and Sumitomo were all in attendance. Tokyo is the No. 1 buyer for natural gas liquid shipments that pass through the canal.

The process of choosing a concessionaire for the pipeline and energy corridor is underway, with a tender projected for the second quarter of 2026.

Freight volume is declining, China politics coming into play

The canal is critical to the U.S. economy and trade. The U.S. is the largest user of the Panama Canal, with total U.S. commodity export and import containers representing about 73% of Panama Canal traffic, and 40% of all U.S. container traffic traveling through the Panama Canal every year. In all, roughly $270 billion in cargo is handled annually.

The plans to increase the energy shipments come after record-breaking container traffic in early 2025 due to trade war frontloading has given way to a forecast for decrease in transits over the remainder of the year and into 2026.

“We will not have the volumes that are usually at this time of the year, and container cargo as compared to other years because of the front loading, that’s what we are seeing right now,” Vásquez said.

The Panama Canal generates its revenues from fees associated with vessel transits, as well as the volume of containers carried on each vessel.

The maritime industry has been navigating a sea of uncertainty with tariffs, as well as looming Chinese shipbuilding fees being imposed by the U.S. government, which have altered the flow of trade.

Starting on October 14, United States Trade Representative-mandated fees associated with the new regulations on Chinese-built vessels calling on U.S. ports go into effect. Chinese carriers, such as COSCO and OOCL, will pay additional fees for entering the U.S. ports regardless of where they are built. Exceptions will be made for voyages shorter than 2,000 nautical miles and vessels with a smaller than 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) carrying capacity.

Data and analysis from Sea-Intelligence show early signs of a reduction in the deployment of Chinese-built vessels on the Asia-North America West Coast route.

“The share of Chinese-built vessels has trended downwards from a level of 25-30% in the first half of 2025 to a range of 20-25% in recent weeks,” said Alan Murphy, CEO, Sea-Intelligence. “A similar, though less pronounced, trend is visible on the Asia-North America East Coast trade,” he added.

The Panama Canal Authority has an advanced booking system that ocean carriers can opt to use to slot future transits. Based on the data from that system, Vasquez tells CNBC it has not seen any changes in bookings involving Chinese-built vessels. 

“What we see right now is that essentially, of all vessels that transit in the Panama Canal, which are around 12,000 to 13,000… 1,000 probably will be built in China. So we don’t have that pressure on the market, because there are alternatives for non-Chinese-built vessels to come through the Panama Canal. So the fleets have a lot of flexibility to do that,” Vásquez said. “On the particulars of COSCO or OOCL, we have not seen any reduction in bookings and reservations moving forward,” he added.

At the same time, a pre-feasibility study for the Corozal Port is advancing into the contracting phase, with results expected in the first quarter of 2026. The Corozal Port, located on the Pacific Ocean side of the country, would be integrated into a land-based logistics platform connected by road and rail. Maersk recently acquired the concession from CPKC and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack to operate the rail.

That port is part of a broader effort by the canal to allay concerns about Chinese involvement in ports critical to the canal operations.

The winning bidders will build the port facilities and get to run them for 20 years.

While there has been speculation about Chinese-owned companies being barred from the bidding process, Vazquez tells CNBC, “We have made no decision whatsoever, and probably we cannot comment, because it’s something that has to be considered, studied, and seen, because it’s very difficult to single out anyone at this moment, and we want to have the most open and competitive tender that we can have.”

Carl Bentzel, president of the National Association of Waterfront Employers, which includes port and terminal operating companies, including MSC, CMA, Maersk, and SSA, told CNBC it is bound by confidentiality agreements and cannot disclose names of companies entering the bidding process. “But what we can tell you there is a lot of interest in participating in the expansion of the canal zone,” said Bentzel. “Operational flexibility and serving multiple trade lanes in Panama is attractive, and with competition to be open, there is a lot of interest,” he said.

Hutchison Ports, a unit of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, agreed to sell its concession deals in two ports flanking either side of the canal to a consortium led by U.S. asset manager BlackRock and MSC after President Trump accused the ports of being controlled by China, but China has strongly criticized the deal and it remains a fluid situation.

In a recent CK Hutchisson stock exchange filing, the company wrote that “the Group remains in discussions with members of the consortium with a view to inviting major strategic investor from the PRC to join as a significant member of the consortium.”

The terminals of the Port of Balboa (Pacific Coast) and Port of Colon (Atlantic Coast) have been managed via concession by Hutchison Ports since the 1990s, but earlier this year, Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, filed lawsuits with the Supreme Court to nullify the concession, which was renewed for 25 years in 2021. Flores cited alleged irregularities in the contracts and claimed the renewal was unconstitutional and detrimental to Panama’s interests.

No decision from Panama’s Supreme Court has been issued.

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How CATL is changing EV battery tech in Europe [Video]

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5 hours ago

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September 26, 2025

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How CATL is changing EV battery tech in Europe [Video]

Electric vehicles have come a long way, but let’s be real—they still have their hangups: “range anxiety,” long charging times, and questions about safety and sustainability. But what if all those worries could be put to rest?

At IAA Mobility in Munich, CATL, one of the world’s biggest battery makers, unveiled a new technology that could revolutionize EVs.

Shenxing Pro: Go Far, Last Long

CATL debuted two versions of its next-gen Shenxing Pro battery. One is all about distance and durability. Picture this: a single charge gets you up to 758 km (or about 470 miles). That’s enough to drive from Houston to Memphis without a single stop. And it’s not just about the distance; this thing is built to last. It promises a lifespan of 12 years or 1,000,000 km, with only around 9% degradation after 200,000 km. That’s a huge leap from today’s EV batteries, which often lose up to 30% of their capacity over the same period.

Fast Charging, Even When It’s Freezing

Tired of waiting around for your car to charge? The second version of the Shenxing Pro is for you. It’s the Super Fast Charging model, designed to get you back on the road in minutes. CATL says it can add a whopping 478 km of range in just 10 minutes under perfect conditions. And here’s the best part: it holds its own in the cold. We all know how much cold weather messes with most EV batteries, but the Shenxing Pro still delivers up to 410 km of range in just 20 minutes at a chilling -20°C. That’s better than many EVs perform in normal temperatures!

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No Propagation 3.0: Safety First

Safety is a top concern with EV batteries, especially the risk of thermal runaway—that’s when one cell overheats and triggers a dangerous chain reaction. CATL’s new No Propagation 3.0 platform is engineered to stop that domino effect cold. It uses special fireproof coatings and a cell structure that quickly cools down and relieves pressure. In the rare event of a problem, the battery can still provide stable power for over an hour. That extra time is a lifeline, giving drivers the chance to get to safety and ensuring critical systems like advanced driver-assistance features stay online when you need them most.

Getting Greener, At Scale

CATL is also tackling the sustainability issue head-on. Through a new initiative called the Global Energy Circular Commitment (GECC), they aim to cut the use of new raw materials by half over the next two decades. They’re already a leader in this space, operating the world’s largest battery recycling network. Since 2024, they’ve recycled over 130,000 tons of used batteries, recovering 99.6% of crucial metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese.

The Whole Package

What’s so impressive about the Shenxing Pro isn’t just one feature—it’s everything working together. By improving range, charging speed, safety, and sustainability all at once, CATL isn’t just fixing a single problem; they’re taking on the biggest obstacles to widespread EV adoption. If these batteries live up to the hype, the next wave of EVs could be more efficient, more reliable, and a whole lot greener.

The bottom line? CATL’s latest battery tech in tandem with other commitments could prove to be the building blocks for the next wave of EVs in Europe and beyond.


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Anker SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale with up to 65% power station discounts from $299, Exclusive DELTA 2 + 5,000mAh power bank low, more

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September 26, 2025

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Anker SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale with up to 65% power station discounts from 9, Exclusive DELTA 2 + 5,000mAh power bank low, more

As yesterday was particularly EV heavy, today’s Green Deals is being led by multiple power station discounts, with the headliner being Anker’s SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale with up to 65% initial discounts, free gifts, extra savings, and more starting from $299. Among the massive lineup, we spotted Anker’s SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station starting at a new $1,449 low. There’s also an exclusive $690 in savings on EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Power Station with a FREE 5,000mAh magnetic power bank at a $379 low, as well as the brand’s latest 48-hour Early Prime Day flash sale, which has dropped the DELTA Pro 3 440W solar bundle to a new $2,999 low. From there, we have Birdfy feeders/birdhouse lows, Velotric’s $699 folding e-bike, a rare Husqvarna tool discount, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Lectric Ultimate Tailgating Flash Sale, or the Segway Roll into Fall Savings Sale, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Save up to 65% on power stations during Anker’s SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale with extra savings, free gifts, and more from $299

Anker has launched its SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale through October 6 with up to 65% initial discounts, plus there are three tiers of extra savings, free gifts on select units, and you can score an additional 7% savings by subscribing and becoming a member, if you’re not one already. Amongst the massive lineup of deals, we spotted Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station with a FREE protective cover ($99 value) dropping to $1,449 shipped right now, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $50 that doesn’t come with any cover. It’s been carrying a $2,599 full price since hitting the market in June, which we’ve seen drop as low as $1,599 until today, which was the one-time rate seen during July’s Prime Day event. Now the costs are going lower than ever, as you score $1,249 in savings at a new all-time low price. Head below for more on this unit, the sale’s promotions, and the rest of the SOLIX lineup of deals.

Let’s rundown all the extra savings opportunities while Anker’s SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale continues, starting with the 7% extra savings you can earn by subscribing on the site (for free), which will be emailed to you. From there, orders over $3,000 will receive an additional $120 discount, orders over $4,000 get a $200 discount, and orders over $5,000 get a $350 discount – all off the cart’s total. Depending on which units you’re buying, you might also be getting FREE included gear like protective covers, cables of various kinds, and more.

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If you want significantly more backup power than smaller, more compact units afford, then Anker’s SOLIX F3000 power station is likely the perfect companion to join your at-home and out-of-home life. It starts with a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 capacity that you can invest further in to expand up to 24kWh. It boasts 11 output ports (including a TT-30R AC port for RV support), through which it can deliver up to 3,600W of power that will double to 7,200W if you pair two stations together (with the appropriate cable).

This newer model brings along passthrough charging functionality from gas generators for up to 3,600W of input that adds versatility to its emergency backup capabilities after sudden power loss. You can also plug it into an AC outlet, as well as charge from your EV too, and don’t forget the 2,400W of solar input that can fully recharge its battery in under two hours with enough sunlight.

***Note: Extra savings – particularly the 7% discount you may be able to score – has not been factored into the prices below, so be sure to subscribe if you’re not already a member to score even better deals! Also be aware that any free gear accompanying particular purchases are shown on the unit’s varying landing pages.

Anker’s other SOLIX Early Prime Day F3000 deals:

Anker’s Early Prime Day SOLIX F2000 deals:

Anker Early Prime Day Standard F3800 station/solar deals:

Anker Early Prime Day Standard F3800 home backup deals:

Anker Early Prime Day SOLIX F3800 Plus station/solar deals:

Anker Early Prime Day SOLIX F3800 Plus home backup deals:

Anker’s Early Prime Day SOLIX C1000 Gen 1 and 2 deals:

Anker’s Early Prime Day under 1kWh SOLIX station deals:

Anker’s Early Prime Day SOLIX electric cooler deals:

For Anker’s full lineup of SOLIX Early Prime Day Sale accessory deals on expansion batteries, solar panels, and more – be sure to scroll to the bottom of the landing page here to check them out.

ecoflow delta 2 power station sitting on windowsill surrounded by plants

Pick up EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 1,024Wh LiFePO4 station with a FREE 5,000mAh magnetic power bank at an exclusive $379 low ($690 savings)

We have an exclusive deal for our readers from Wellbots on EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Portable Power Station with a FREE Rapid 5000 Magnetic Power Bank for $379 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5FREEBIE at checkout. It’s starting off already down from its $999 tag to $429, which is the second-best price we have tracked on the standalone power station, behind its $399 all-time low. Not only does the extra savings cut that price further to land $20 under that low price, but you’re also getting additional value in the free power bank that would run you $70. All-in-all, you’re looking at a total of $690 savings at the best price we can find anywhere.

If you want to learn more about this power station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this exclusive deal here.

man using EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 power station to run computer in blackout

EcoFlow’s latest Early Prime Day flash sale drops the DELTA Pro 3 440W solar bundle to a new $2,999 low, more

As part of its ongoing Early Prime Day Sale, EcoFlow has launched the second of its 48-hour flash sales, taking up to 61% off four units – though, if you want to score the DELTA 2 power station, you’ll get it at $379 and coming with a 5,000mAh magnetic power bank with our exclusive deal we secured. Among the other three offers, we’re seeing EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station bundled with two 220W solar panels for $2,999 shipped, with the closest bundle at Amazon being with a single 400W panel that sits $100 lower. This bundle would normally run you $3,699 at full price, with discounts up until this sale only having seen it go as low as $3,099. You’re looking at a $700 discount through September 27, dropping the price lower than ever to the best rate we have tracked.

If you want to learn about this power station’s impressive capabilities, as well as the other offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of this 48-hour flash sale here.

Birdfy Smart Hummingbird feeder and solar panel set up with birds flying around it

Enjoy up-close Hummingbird visits with this smart solar-powered Birdfy feeder at its $110 low, more from $100

Through its official Amazon storefront, Birdfy is offering a massive amount of discounts on its eco-friendly and solar-powered smart feeders, birdhouses, and more, like the Hummingbird Feeder with a solar-powered camera at $109.99 shipped. This device has only been on the market since June, first launching with a $200 price tag on Amazon, which has been keeping lower at $130 since August. This rate first appeared as a series of short-term discounts that are now extending for a much longer period, giving you more time to take advantage of the $20 markdown off the going rate for the best price we have tracked. Head below for more on this device and the others seeing discounts right now.

If you want to learn more about this smart feeder, or the other devices seeing discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Velotric's Fold 1 Lite e-bike

Velotric’s space-saving Fold 1 Lite e-bike with a 440-pound payload and up to 48-mile range at second-best $699 rate

Velotric has some looming discounts on a selection of e-bikes at the moment, with a notably low price on the Fold 1 Lite e-bike at $699 shipped. It would normally cost you $1,099 were you buying it at full price, which we’ve mainly seen dropped down to $999 and $899 rates over 2025, with some falls as low as $599 that only appeared once back in July. You’re looking at the next-best price while the $400 savings last here, giving you a much more affordable commuter that doubles on saving space when not in use.

If you want to learn more about this e-bike, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

woman shaping up grass around flower bed with Husqvarna WeedEater 320iL 16-inch cordless string trimmer

Husqvarna’s WeedEater 320iL 16-inch cordless string trimmer comes with a 4.0Ah battery at $269

Amazon is now offering the Husqvarna WeedEater 320iL 16-inch Cordless String Trimmer with a 4.0Ah battery at $269 shipped, after clipping the on-page coupon. Normally going for $319 in full, we saw it drop to its $200 low for July’s short Prime Day period, with things since the middle of that month having kept costs at its full rate, with two drops to $280 in the time since. While this isn’t the lowest price, it is one of the rarer instances of a significant discount on Husqvarna equipment recently, with the 16% markdown here providing a solid $50 in savings while giving you a heavy-duty means to keep weeds and grass under control.

If you want to learn more about this string trimmer, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Hyundai wants you to feel how smooth its EVs drive with a unique 24-hour ‘Rest Drive’

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6 hours ago

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September 26, 2025

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Hyundai wants you to feel how smooth its EVs drive with a unique 24-hour 'Rest Drive'

Hyundai-Rest-Drives-EVs

Hyundai wants to give you the chance to see for yourself just how peaceful the ride is in its EVs. In the UK, Hyundai is offering a new 24-hour “Rest Drive” for the new Kona Electric, allowing you to experience it on your daily travels.

Hyundai UK launches 24-hour ‘Rest Drive’ to test EVs

If you haven’t driven an electric vehicle, it’s hard to describe how much more relaxing the drive is compared to a traditional gas-powered car.

Without a massive internal combustion engine (ICE) under the hood and drastically fewer moving parts, EVs are nearly silent to drive. This is why most places require them to have some sort of alert system when backing up now.

Hyundai sees it as an opportunity. After conducting a study, Hyundai Motor UK found that 73% of parents admit to taking their child for a ride in the car to help them fall asleep.

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Apparently, those laps around the neighborhood add up quickly. On average, it added up to nine hours a month behind the wheel. The biggest frustrations for parents trying to get their kids to sleep were sitting in traffic (42%), engine noise (41%), and stopping for gas (36%).

Hyundai-Rest-Drives-EVs
Hyundai launches “Rest Drives,” a 24-hour test drive of the Kona Electric (Source: Hyundai UK)

On the other hand, parents said a smooth ride (65%) was the top factor that would help their child fall asleep more easily.

To allow parents in the UK to experience the peacefulness of EVs, Hyundai launched “Rest Drives.” The new program offers 24-hour test drives of the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Hyundai-Rest-Drives-EVs
The Hyundai Kona Electric (Source: Hyundai UK)

The Kona EV offers a WLTP range of 319 miles, fast charging capabilities, and is equipped with Hyundai’s latest safety and connectivity tech.

Hyundai offers an electric vehicle for almost everyone, including the Inster, Kona Electric, IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9. Next year, it will launch the IONIQ 3, the production version of the Concept THREE unveiled at IAA Mobility 2025 earlier this month.

Hyundai-Rest-Drives-EVs
The interior of the Hyundai Kona Electric (Source: Hyundai UK)

Looking to try out the Kona Electric? Hyundai is offering the extended Rest Drive offer until October 31, 2025, at the following participating retailers. You can apply and find more information on Hyundai’s UK website.

  • Marshall – Gatwick
  • Berry – Chiswick
  • Vertu – Banbury
  • Evans Halshaw – Milton Keynes
  • Howards – Taunton
  • Paul Rigby – Stratford upon Avon
  • Wessex – Cardiff
  • Read – Burton
  • West Riding – Manchester
  • Drive Hyundai – York
  • Vertu – Edinburgh West
  • Vertu – Nottingham
  • Vertu – Bristol
  • Arnold Clark – Glasgow

At the end of the test, retailers will offer parents a “Rest Drives” baby box. The gift includes a soft Jellycat toy, cosy travel blanket, engaging baby book, and healthy snacks, which Hyundai said were carefully chosen to keep kids “calm, content, and rested on the road.”

Hyundai doesn’t offer this kind of program in the US. At least, not yet. But, if you want to get behind the wheel of the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9, or Kona Electric, you can use our links below to find models near you.


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