MSC Boxship Sets New Record for Panama Canal Cargo Capacity
Largest Cargo Capacity Ship Crosses Panama Canal Amid Easing Restrictions
The Panama Canal has once again made headlines with the transit of the MSC Marie, now the largest cargo capacity containership to navigate its waters. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it comes at a time when the Panama Canal is gradually easing transit restrictions imposed earlier in 2024 due to a severe drought. The MSC Marie, with a deadweight tonnage of 202,562 dwt and a maximum capacity of 17,640 TEU, successfully completed its journey from Mexico, following a route that began in China and Korea.
Delivered to MSC in 2024 as part of their fleet expansion, the MSC Marie is registered in Liberia and made its canal transit with a draft of approximately 48 feet. This event not only marks a significant milestone for the canal but also underscores the easing of the drought-induced restrictions that had previously impacted ship transits.
The MSC Marie shares its dimensions with the former record-holder, Evergreen’s Ever Max, which set the capacity record in August 2023. Both vessels measure 1,200 feet in length and 167.4 feet in width, but the MSC Marie now holds the title for the largest cargo capacity ship to pass through the canal. These developments reflect the ongoing trend of deploying larger capacity vessels on trade routes that utilize the Panama Canal, highlighting the growing demands and technological advancements in the shipping industry.
The Panama Canal Authority emphasized that this new record demonstrates the canal’s capability to accommodate the largest and most advanced ships in operation today. They also noted that the achievement reaffirms the Panama Canal’s crucial role as a global trade hub, capable of supporting the ever-increasing scale of modern maritime commerce.
