NINE VESSELS WITH OVERALL LENGTH GREATER THAN 900 FEET TRANSIT THE WATERWAY IN A SINGLE DAY
PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 15, 2007 – For the third time in the last 14 months, the Panama Canal tied its record for the total number of daily transits that have an overall length greater than 900 feet. Demonstrating its capability to manage the growing demand for its waterway, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced today that nine vessels with an overall length greater than 900 feet transited the Canal on Tuesday, August 7 – tying the record achieved in May 2006 and matched in April 2007.
On average, 39 vessels transit the waterway each day and, of those, usually five vessels are greater than 900 feet.
“Setting this record for the third time is evidence of the ACP’s hard work and dedication. Everyday, as demand continues to grow, we are increasing the efficiency and reliability of the waterway,” said ACP Vice President of Operations Manuel Benitez. “We are proud of this accomplishment and will continue to build upon our successes to provide the best service to our customers – which is our top priority.”
All of the record-tying vessels were container vessels and, due to the size of the vessel (greater than 900 feet), require more time and resources to transit the waterway. Of the nine, Maersk and Evergreen own two vessels each and the remaining belonged to MSC, ZIM, CMA-CGM, HAPAG-LLOYD and COSCO.
About the Panama Canal Authority
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The ACP is governed by its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the Panama Canal Authority’s Web site: http://www.pancanal.com/. For Panama Canal video, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/panamacanal.
