Panama Transits, Tonnage Drop

(breakbulk.com ) The total number of transits and tonnage through the Panama Canal dropped slightly in fiscal 2009 ended Sept. 30, but the canal experienced growth in some of its principal segments, notably general cargo, dry bulk, and tanker transits, according to The Panama Canal Authority.

In reporting its operational metrics for fiscal 2009, the canal authority said Canal Waters Time, which is the average time it takes a vessel to navigate the canal, including waiting time, significantly decreased by 26.9 percent – from 31.55 to 23.06 hours.

For booked vessels (those ships holding reservations), CWT declined 16.1 percent to 15.54 hours this year from 18.52 in fiscal 2008.

Total Canal transits experienced a marginal decline of 2.4 percent to 14,342 transits from 14,702 in fiscal 2008.

Tonnage passing through the canal as measured by the Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System decreased 3.4 percent – from 309.6 million tons to 299.1 million tons.

General cargo traffic jumped this year by 12.3 percent to 875 transits from 779 last year, while dry bulk transits increased 11 percent to 2,687. The canal saw an increase in tanker transits – up 12.3 percent to 2,320 from 2,066. Container transits experienced a slight drop of 5.1 percent to 3,364 from 3,544 in fiscal 2008.

Booked transits (excluding auctioned slots) decreased 28.1 percent to 5,869 transits from 8,167. Transits by booked vessels accounted for more than 45 percent of oceangoing transits.

The official accident rate rose slightly to 1.53 accidents per 1,000 transits this fiscal year from 1.09 accidents per 1,000 transits in fiscal 2008. An official accident is one in which a formal investigation is requested and conducted.

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Original Source: http://www.breakbulk.com/content/?p=1019
Date Retrieved: November 7, 2009