On August 4 2016, the Panama Canal Administrator, Jorge L. Quijano, addressed representatives from shipping to mark the first month of the expansion opening.
Mr. Quijano stated that apart from one minor incident, the canal has had 70 vessels pass through successfully in its first four weeks of opening.
The one incident that the Panama Canal Administrator refers to is the collision of a container ship into the Panama Canal Locks in July, 2016.
Quijano said: “We have the highest esteem for our customers, and we are glad that they have decided to come on board to be part of the newly expanded canal.”
Customers stated their confidence and satisfaction with the quality of the service and levels of safety.
Representatives from the following were in attendance, including MOL, Maersk, MSC, Hamburg Sud, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and China COSCO.
Mr Quijano concluded: “We look forward to setting more milestones and making more progress to meet and exceed our customers' expectations and the quality of service they have come to expect at the Panama Canal. Our commitment to our customers and the maritime industry is paramount.”
Read the latest on the Panama Canal Expansion Here
Fact File: The Panama Canal is run by an autonomous agency of the Government of Panama, which is in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors.
Fact File: The Panama Canal Expansion is the largest enhancement project since the canal’s opening in 1914. Considered and analysed for a decade with more than 100 studies, the expansion provides the world’s shippers, retailers, manufacturers and consumers with greater shipping options, better maritime service, enhanced logistics and supply-chain reliability. The Expansion included the construction of a new set of locks on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway, creating a third lane of traffic and doubling the cargo capacity of the waterway.
