By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - The number of containerships transiting the Panama Canal during its fiscal year ending 30 September declined slightly, by 1.1% to 2,575. But there could be further reductions after ocean carriers announced a number of blanked sailings in the coming weeks on their Asia to US east coast all-water schedules ahead of the slack season. Dry bulk … [Read more...]
Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales Takes the Helm of the Panama Canal
Panama has be sworn-in Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Ph.D. as the new administrator of the Panama Canal, superseding Jorge L. Quijano after seven years as the head of the Canal. Dr. Vásquez is a Ph.D. and economist with more than 30 years' experience in the public and private sector. He takes the helm for his seven-year term shortly before the Canal celebrates its 20th year … [Read more...]
Panama Canal Imposes Ship Speed Limit to Protect Whales
The Panama Canal has implemented a 10 knot speed limit aimed at protecting whales, dolphins and other large marine mammals against ship strikes. The speed limit will run from August 1 through November 30 to coincide with seasonal migration periods and in-line with International Maritime Organization's (IMO) annual recommendations on speed and maritime transit aimed at … [Read more...]
Trade War Hits Panama Canal Revenues
By Michael McDonald (Bloomberg) - The trade tension between the U.S. and China is making waves at the Panama Canal. Cargo from the U.S. to China going through the key waterway has slumped this year as the Asian giant cuts its imports of American food and fuel, according to Panama Canal Authority CEO Jorge Luis Quijano. Amid the dispute, Japan has displaced China as the … [Read more...]
Expanded Panama Canal Breaks 15,000 TEU Vessel Threshold
The Panama Canal completed a trial transit of Evergreen’s Triton, the largest ship by dimension and container cargo capacity to pass through the Expanded Canal since it opened in 2016. The Triton has a Total TEU Allowance (TTA) of 15,313, a 20-row beam of 51.2 meters and a length of 369 meters. It transited the canal northbound from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. “We … [Read more...]