Canal sets new tonnage record

In January, the Panama Canal set a new monthly tonnage record of 36.1M Panama Canal (PC/UMS) tons with the transit of 1,260 ships through both the Expanded and original locks. The previous record was established in December 2016 with a total of 35.4 million PC/UMS. Prior to the inauguration of the Expanded Canal in June 2016, the monthly tonnage record was 30.4 million. Seven months after the beginning of operations, the Expanded Canal has accommodated liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas vessels, as well as bulk carriers, tankers and vehicle carriers. In this coming April, the Expanded Canal will continue to impact world maritime trade with the passage of the first Neopanamax cruise vessel. (Source: Maritime Global News 02/06/17)