Panama Canal authorities are optimistic that the amount of cargo transported through the waterway will increase this year as compared to 2010.
Officials estimate that 305 million tons of cargo will transit the Canal in 2011. Officials made those statements during events to mark the 11th anniversary of the transfer of the Canal to Panamanian control.
Officials said that figures from the first three months of the fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, are encouraging.
"We are 4 million tons ahead of last year at this time," said Canal Administrator Alberto Aleman Zubieta.The Canal exceeded 300 million tons of cargo in 2010 despite the lingering effects of the global financial crisis.