Michele Labrut writes in Seatrade Maritime News about the new record.
Fourteen months after the inauguration in June 2016, Cosco Yantian became 26 June 2017, the 2,000th neo-panamax vessel to transit the expanded waterway, an example of the continuous impact on maritime trade and the industry’s confidence in the safe, reliable and efficient service the Canal provides, said Panama Canal officials.


The boxship Cosco Yantian completed the milestone transit through the expanded Canal traveling northbound from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel measures 351 m in length and 43 m in beam, with a capacity of 9,504 teu.  

“Over the last 15 months, the expanded Canal has repeatedly exceeded expectations,†said Panama Canal Administrator, Jorge. Quijano.  The Cosco Yantian “transit serves as yet another reminder of the industry’s rapid adoption of the route and reinforces our commitment to continually improving the service we offer our customers.â€â€¨Â 

The Cosco Yantian is deployed on the Pacific East Coast 2 (PEX2) service, which operates between Asia and the Caribbean via the Panama Canal. 
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At 54%, the container segment accounts for more than half of the transits through the expanded Canal, while LPG and LNG vessels represent 29.2% and 8.6%, respectively. Bulk carriers, tankers, car carriers and cruise ships have also transited the expanded Canal.