Slight drop in Panama Canal
(mgn.com) The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says total Canal transits decreased 1.4% in the quarter January to March compared to a year previously, to 3,914. Transits of "supers", larger ships that "require greater time and navigation skills to transit the Canal", declined 2.9% to 1,815.
During the quarter, Q2 of the ACP's 2009 fiscal year, Canal Waters Time (CWT), the average time it takes a vessel to transit the Canal, including waiting time for passage, decreased significantly, while total transits and net tonnage remained nearly flat.
Average CWT decreased 27.9 percent – to 26.22 hours from 36.39 hours. CWT for booked vessels (those ships holding reservations) decreased 19.5 percent – to 15.83 hours from 19.66 hours. The drop in CWT can be attributed to the ACP’s efficient operations and a slight decline in transits.
General cargo, dry bulk and tanker transits increased, while reefer ships, container vessels, vehicle carriers and passenger ship transits decreased.
“Our results for this quarter paint a favourable picture of how the Canal continues to weather the global economic crisis. Q2 numbers remained steady and we do not expect to see major fluctuations,” said ACP Executive Vice President of Operations Manuel Benítez.
