THE Panama Canal set a new monthly tonnage record of 36.1 million Panama Canal tonnes (PC/UMS) in January, after 1,260 ships passed through both the expanded and original locks.
The previous record was achieved in December 2016, when 1,166 ships transited the waterway for a total of 35.4 million PC/UMS, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said.
"This increase reiterates the importance of the expanded Canal, and it's further proof of the maritime industry's continued confidence in the Panama Canal and the impact it will have on the future of global trade," said the Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano.
Seven months after the beginning of operations, the expanded Canal has already transited 750 Neopanamax vessels - half of which were container ships. In addition, the expanded Canal has accommodated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, as well as bulk carriers, tankers and vehicle carriers.