The total number of ships and tonnage of the ships passing through the Panama Canal declined during the fiscal second quarter ended March 31, but there was some growth in key segments, the Panama Canal Authority reported Monday.
Total Canal transits declined 1.5 percent – to 3,854 transits from 3,914. Transits of supers, larger ships that require greater time and navigation skills to transit the Canal, decreased 0.8 percent – to 1,801 transits from 1,815.
The canal authority said general cargo, dry bulk and vehicle carrier transits increased, while transits of containers, refrigerated cargo, tankers and passenger vessels decreased.
Canal Waters Time, the average time it takes a vessel to transit the canal (including waiting time for passage), dropped significantly during the quarter.
Overall CWT decreased 24.7 percent – to 19.75 hours from 26.22 hours. CWT for booked vessels, those ships holding reservations, also experienced a decrease – to 12.59 hours from 15.83 hours, or a 20.4 percent reduction.
Total second-quarter tonnage as measured by the Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) dropped by 2.3 percent – to 73.99 million PC/UMS tons from 75.74 million PC/UMS tons.
The official accident rate increased to 1.816 accidents per 1,000 transits from 1.022. An official accident is one in which a formal investigation is requested and conducted.
Utilization of the booking system decreased 44.2 percent – to 44.4 percent utilization from 79.6 percent. Significant reductions in CWT, along with increased operational efficiency, have resulted in the booking of fewer reservations.
Total Canal transits declined 1.5 percent – to 3,854 transits from 3,914. Transits of supers, larger ships that require greater time and navigation skills to transit the Canal, decreased 0.8 percent – to 1,801 transits from 1,815.
The canal authority said general cargo, dry bulk and vehicle carrier transits increased, while transits of containers, refrigerated cargo, tankers and passenger vessels decreased.
Canal Waters Time, the average time it takes a vessel to transit the canal (including waiting time for passage), dropped significantly during the quarter.
Overall CWT decreased 24.7 percent – to 19.75 hours from 26.22 hours. CWT for booked vessels, those ships holding reservations, also experienced a decrease – to 12.59 hours from 15.83 hours, or a 20.4 percent reduction.
Total second-quarter tonnage as measured by the Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) dropped by 2.3 percent – to 73.99 million PC/UMS tons from 75.74 million PC/UMS tons.
The official accident rate increased to 1.816 accidents per 1,000 transits from 1.022. An official accident is one in which a formal investigation is requested and conducted.
Utilization of the booking system decreased 44.2 percent – to 44.4 percent utilization from 79.6 percent. Significant reductions in CWT, along with increased operational efficiency, have resulted in the booking of fewer reservations.