Höegh Target transited the newly expanded locks of the Panama Canal, the company said in its press release.
Höegh Target is the world’s largest PCTC with its 8500 car capacity and 71 400 m2 deck area. The vessel is the first Post-Panamax vessel from Höegh Autoliners that passes through the new canal.
The vessel was delivered in 2015 and was the first in a series of six vessels under the New Horizon design. Höegh Autoliners designed these vessels with a larger beam whilst the Panama Canal project was underway.
About the New Horizon vessels
The New Horizon vessels are designed for maximum flexibility, offering 6.5 meters of free deck height, 12 metre ramp width and capacity to take cargo weighting up to 375 tonnes. The 71 400 m2 of deck space is divided over 14 decks, of which five are liftable. This allows for considerable flexibility in types of cargo that can be loaded, and also makes the vessel more efficient. With all internal ramps liftable, there is better utilisation of cargo space.
I spent a year on Green ships, you would call them 12 story moving parking garages. They are rather ugly looking ships but very functional. This massive ship in the picture I would like to sail on just to see how long it takes to get from one part of the ship to the other. It is how you get your car from one continent to the other. Your car which is made in Malasyia or Japan or Korea or Mexico had to get to you somehow. This is the way they get to the port from which they are trucked to your hometown in Iowa or wherever. Most of the ship is packed with cars and the crew is not allowed to enter the area except for one or two security folks. The cars are parked a couple inches apart so the doors cannot be opened. The cars are moved by professionals and driven off the ship or when loaded driven onto the ship,parked and anchored down. These ships ride very well. You can’t tell you are moving when you are moving. Great way to see the world.