Canal sets size record with transit of container ship

The Panama Canal celebrated  108 years of operation on Monday, August 15,  after reaching some records in the operations of the new locks that have been in operation since June 26, 2016.

A new record was set with the transit through the neo-Panamax locks of the container ship CMA CGM Zephyr, the largest ship by cargo capacity that has crossed the route to date.

The Zephyr with a  capacity of 16,285 TEUs (a unit equivalent to a 20-foot long container), completed its return journey through the Neopanamax locks on July 1.

Although the neo-Panamax locks were initially expected to serve vessels with a maximum of 12,600 TEUs, the Panama Canal exceeded this threshold, “thanks to the experience gained in the operation of the locks and its close collaboration with customers,” says a Canal Authority (ACP) release.

The Canal connects 180 maritime routes that reach 1,920 ports in 170 countries around the world, and in the calendar year 2021 2.4% of world maritime trade transited.