[100518.EN.BIZ] Panama Canal Ups Neopanamax Slots to 8, Sets Beam at 51.2 Metres

THE Panama Canal announced that it has added an additional reservation slot to its neopanamax locks, bringing the total available booking slots to eight daily.

The announcement also follows an increase in the maximum allowable beam. Effective June 1, the maximum beam will be 51.25 metres (168.14 feet), up from 49 metres.

The decision to offer additional capacity to shippers was made as a part of the canal's routine careful planning and analysis to meet the increased demand at the interoceanic route, inaugurated nearly two years ago.

Since then, the global maritime community has increasingly taken advantage of the time and cost savings afforded by the canal.

So far this fiscal year 2018, from October 1, the canal has transited 1,183 neopanamax vessels including containerships, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, dry bulk and more - a 39 per cent increase in cumulative transits year on year.

"At the Panama Canal, we are constantly evaluating and optimising our operations to ensure our service is as efficient and safe as possible for customers across segments," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano.

"This increase allows us to offer our customers even more flexibility, and was made possible by strategic planning and the experience the Panama Canal team has our accrued in the last two years, especially considering that almost 150 personnel are involved in each transit."

The added slot allows ships greater flexibility and options for booking their desired transit dates. The increase was made possible as a result of the efficiencies gained by the canal's continued investment into its operations and resources, and due to the ongoing excellence and experience of its employees.

Source : HKSG.