First neopanamax ever transits newly expanded Panama Canal

The MN Baroque, a neopanamax dry bulk carrier contracted by the Panama Canal Authority, transited the new Agua Clara locks yesterday as part of a testing and training program in advance of the canal’s June 26 inauguration.    The first neopanamax vessel to ever sail through the Panama Canal made its historic run through the newly expanded Central American waterway yesterday, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said in a statement.
   The MN Baroque, a neopanamax dry bulk carrier contracted by the ACP, transited the new Agua Clara locks yesterday as part of a testing and training program in advance of the expanded canal’s official inauguration June 26. The ship, which has a length of 255 meters and a beam of 43 meters, will perform several passages through the new locks and gates over the next few days.
   These tests are being conducted in parallel with training at the canal’s Center for Simulation, Research and Maritime Development (SIDMAR) and the Scale Model Maneuvering Training Facility.
   ACP said everything went according to plan during yesterday’s transit.
   The Panama Canal expansion, construction of which began back in 2007, double the waterway’s cargo capacity, allowing vessels with up to 13,000 TEUs of capacity to transit, more than double the previous 5,000-TEU limit.
   “The new waterway will provide greater economies of scale to global commerce as Neopanamax will be able to transit through due to expansion,” ACP said.