Panama, Central America
The Panama Canal Authority has marked a significant milestone with the transit of the MSC Marie, a containership boasting a record-breaking capacity of 17,640 TEU. This achievement is especially noteworthy as it occurs during a period of recovery for the Canal, which has been gradually lifting restrictions on ship transits following a prolonged drought in 2024. The MSC Marie, delivered to MSC in 2024 and registered in Liberia, made its journey from Mexico to the Canal, emphasizing the restoration of transit conditions and the Canal’s capacity to handle the world’s largest and most advanced vessels.
The MSC Marie’s record-breaking transit follows closely on the heels of the previous record set by Evergreen’s Ever Max in August 2023, which has a similar length and width but a slightly lower capacity of 17,312 TEU. The transit of these mega-ships highlights the ongoing evolution in the shipping industry, where advancements in loading systems have enabled larger cargo capacities on vessels of similar size. The Panama Canal Authority underscored that this new record reaffirms the Canal’s pivotal role as a global trade hub, capable of accommodating the largest and most modern ships in the world.
By Priyadharshini
