Transits of the Panama Canal slipped 1.4 percent in the Canal’s second fiscal quarter. A total of 3,914 ships passed through the Canal from January through March. Tonnage fell further as fewer large ships came through. Transits of supers declined 2.9 percent – to 1,815 transits from 1,869. Overall tonnage dropped 3.3 percent to 75.7 million tons from 78.4 million tons a year earlier. General cargo, dry bulk and tanker transits increased, while refrigerated (reefers), container, vehicle carrier and passenger transits decreased.
Average time it takes a vessel to transit the Canal decreased 27.9 percent to 26.22 hours from 36.39 hours. Canal Waters Time for booked vessels decreased 19.5 percent to 15.83 hours from 19.66 hours. Use of the booking system decreased 15.6 percent to 79.56 percent utilization from 94.31 percent.
The official accident rate declined 32.4 percent to 1.02 accidents per 1,000 transits from 1.51 per 1,000 transits.
“Our results for this quarter paint a favorable picture of how the Canal continues to weather the global economic crisis. Q2 numbers remained steady and we do not expect to see major fluctuations,” said Manuel Benítez, ACP executive vice president of operations. “The ACP will continue to follow these developments closely and remains fully committed to meeting the needs of its customers and the industry.”
Average time it takes a vessel to transit the Canal decreased 27.9 percent to 26.22 hours from 36.39 hours. Canal Waters Time for booked vessels decreased 19.5 percent to 15.83 hours from 19.66 hours. Use of the booking system decreased 15.6 percent to 79.56 percent utilization from 94.31 percent.
The official accident rate declined 32.4 percent to 1.02 accidents per 1,000 transits from 1.51 per 1,000 transits.
“Our results for this quarter paint a favorable picture of how the Canal continues to weather the global economic crisis. Q2 numbers remained steady and we do not expect to see major fluctuations,” said Manuel Benítez, ACP executive vice president of operations. “The ACP will continue to follow these developments closely and remains fully committed to meeting the needs of its customers and the industry.”