While the expansion of the Panama Canal which is to be completed in a few years will be a game changer for the entire world and especially Panama, we continue to set new records with the existing systems.

A press release from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) states that:

“Panama Canal tonnage sets historic record

• The new record stands at 322.1 million tons.
• Alemán Zubieta: a milestone only made possible because of the commitment of the Canal staff and the institutional model of the Canal.

“This is an unprecedented achievement in the 97 years of operation of the Canal that specifically reflects the ability of Panamanians to operate and manage this important maritime trade route. My tribute and thanks to the workers of the Panama Canal for reaching this important goal, “said the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Alberto Zubieta German.

Preliminary figures showed that the Panama Canal closed the fiscal year 2011 with 322.1 million tons PC / UMS (Universal Tonnage Panama Canal, system volume used to measure the capacity of vessels transiting the waterway).

The figure represents an increase of 7.1% compared to 300.8 million tonnes recorded in the fiscal year 2010, while exceeded the previous record of 312.9 million tons set in 2007 by 2.9%.

According to German Zubieta, this milestone also demonstrates that “Channel management model has made it possible to continually improve service levels to our customers, while increasing the benefits to Panama.”

The fiscal year of the Panama Canal runs from October 1 to September 30.”