The Panama Canal welcomed its 2,000th Neopanamax vessel through the waterway, demonstrating the route's continued impact on maritime trade and the industry's confidence in the safe, reliable and efficient service the Canal provides, the company said in its press release.
The COSCO Yantian containership completed the milestone transit through the Expanded Canal traveling northbound from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel measures 351 meters in length and 43 meters in beam, with a total TEU allowance (TTA) of 9,504.
"Over the last 15 months, the Expanded Canal has repeatedly exceeded expectations," said Panama Canal Administrator, Jorge L. Quijano. "Yesterday's transit serves as yet another reminder of the industry's rapid adoption of the route and reinforces our commitment to continually improving the service we offer our customers."
The COSCO Yantian is deployed on the Pacific East Coast 2 (PEX2) service, which operates between Asia and the Caribbean via the Panama Canal.
The 2,000th transit marks another step forward for the Expanded Canal, which has served a number of vessel segments since its opening in June 2016, including containerships, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carries-a new segment for the waterway.
At 54 percent, the container segment accounts for more than half of the transits through the Expanded Canal, while LPG and LNG vessels represent 29.2 and 8.6 percent, respectively. Bulk carriers, tankers, car carriers and cruise ships have also transited the Expanded Canal.
About the Panama Canal Authority
The Panama Canal is run by an autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors.
About the Panama Canal Expansion
The Panama Canal Expansion is the largest enhancement project since the Canal's opening in 1914. Considered and analyzed for a decade with more than 100 studies, the Expanded Canal provides the world's shippers, retailers, manufacturers and consumers with greater shipping options, better maritime service, enhanced logistics and supply-chain reliability. The Expansion included the construction of a new set of locks on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway, creating a third lane of traffic and doubling the cargo capacity of the waterway. While the expanded locks are 70 feet wider and 18 feet deeper than those in the original Canal, they use less water due to water-savings basins that recycle 60 percent of the water used per transit. In line with its commitment to customer service, the Panama Canal will continue to provide the world with value for another century and beyond.