The Panama Canal announced the transit of its 3,000th Neopanamax vessel, surpassing the initial traffic expectations. The Panamanian flagged containership MSC Caterina completed the milestone transit this morning traveling northbound from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
The 300 metres vessel has a total TEU allowance (TTA) of 9,000 containers and was one of nine Neopanamax vessels welcomed at the Panama Canal today.
Canal Administrator, Jorge Luis Quijano, mentioned:
Today’s milestone, achieved in less than two years of operation, serves as a proud reminder of the confidence that our customers and the broader maritime industry have placed in our route.
In total 3,000 vessels have transited to date, of which 53% have been from the container segment. Liquefied petroleum gas vessels amount for 28%, and liquified natural gas carriers for 10% of traffic. Dry and liquid bulk carriers, car carriers and cruise ships make up the remaining transits.
Other important transits include the MSC Anzu, which became the 1000th transit on March 19, 2017, and the COSCO Yantian which later registered the 2,000th transit on September 26, 2017.
