Panama Canal reports decrease in transit times

Panama Canal reports decrease in transit times The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) today reported a decrease in both waiting time and average transit times during the second quarter, in spite of higher tonnage volumes and an increase in accidents.
   Second quarter tonnage increase 6.3 percent to 79.7 million tons, driven by a 3.9 percent increase in the number of Panamax-sized vessels moving through the canal, to 1,559 Panamax transits.
   There was also a minor increase in 'official' accidents, five, from four in the year-earlier quarter.
   Transit times improved 8.8 percent to an average transit of 27.43 hours, down from 30.09 hours a year ago.
   “The Panama Canal remains a vital and economically competitive transit system in the maritime and shipping industry,' said Manuel Benitez, ACP maritime operations director. 'We are keeping up with heightened levels of demand for the waterway — handling more traffic and tonnage — while keeping transit time consistent, if not reduced.”