Panama Canal tonnage rises by 2%

This figure represents a 2% increase compared to the 320.6m PC/UMS tonnes registered in FY2013 and the result was also higher than earlier forecasts. The Panama Canal’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30. The increase was primarily driven by the bulk carrier segment which registered an 18.2% increase totalling 85.9m PC/UMS tonnes, compared to the 72.7m PC/UMS tonnes registered the year before.

The dynamic movement of bulk through the Panama Canal in the last year is attributed to the surge in grain cargo flows from the US Gulf to Asia.

Other leading market segments during this fiscal year included car carriers with 45.8m PC/UMS tonnes and gas carriers with 6m PC /UMS tonnes, which increased 6.7% and 24.2%, respectively.

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