Panama Canal transits 17,312-TEUer, but it's a bit of a cheat
RISKING the impact of a low water drought, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) celebrated the transit of the 17,312-TEU Ever Max, the highest-capacity containership ever to navigate the waterway, reports Ventura, California's gCaptain.
However, it was a bit of a cheat. The ship transited with only 13,345 TEU aboard and a draft of 43 feet, just one foot short of the current draft limit of 44 feet.
To accommodate the Ever Max temporarily unloaded 1,400 TEU at the Port of Balboa, transferring them by land to the Colon Container Terminal for reloading.
The previous record-holder was the 16,285 TEU-capacity Zephyr. Ever Max, which, under normal conditions, would have required 50 feet, the maximum allowable draft, in of the neopanamax locks.
In a statement, Ilya Espino de Marotta, deputy administrator of the Panama Canal, highlighted the significance of the transit, emphasising how it underscores the reliability of the waterway in facilitating global trade.
"By complying with this historic transit, the efficiency and solidity of the interoceanic route as a fundamental maritime transport route for global trade is evident," he said.
source:SchedNet
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