"While we continue to see flat economic trends and a slowdown in growth on a global scale, the Panama Canal experienced an increase in transits and tonnage during the third quarter," said ACP Executive Vice President of Operations Manuel Benítez. "The ACP continues to look for innovative ways to meet existing and projected world trade demand through better service, workforce training and Canal improvements. We expect current positive trends to continue in the coming months."
Average Canal Waters Time (CWT), the average time it takes a vessel to transit the Canal (including waiting time for passage), rose 56.3 percent in Q3, increasing to 38.31 hours from 24.50 hours. CWT for booked vessels (those ships holding reservations) increased 19.5 percent - from 16.55 hours in 2007 to 19.77 hours.
The quarter's increase in CWT can be attributed to a surge in arrivals within the waterway's peak season (February - May), coinciding with maintenance work at the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. Weather conditions and the mix in size of arriving vessels also contributed to the CWT delays.
The accident rate during Q3 of FY 2008 was 0.26 accidents per 1000 transits, down from 0.54 accidents per 1,000 transits during Q3 of FY 2007. An official accident is one in which a formal investigation is requested and conducted.
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors.