Monday, October 29, 2012

Vision of the Seas Panama Canal

In this image we see the Vision of the Seas cruise ship in the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal, heading soon out to the Caribbean Sea. This image taken today October 29 on her north bound Panama Canal transit.
Vision of the Seas Panama Canal

Sunday, October 28, 2012

2 Cruise Ships in the Panama Canal

In the first image we see the 2 cruise ships in the Gatun Locks today October 28 2012, the Veendam in her South Bound Panama Canal transit and the Island Princess cruise ship in her partial Panama Canal transit, the Island Princess heads only up the Gatun Locks into Lake Gatun and later today back out into the Caribbean again. In the second image taken in the afternoon we see the Veendam Cruise Ship in the Miraflores Locks.

2 Cruise Ships in the Gatun Locks












Veendam Cruise Ship in the Miraflores Locks

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Panama Canal Rainy Season

Here we see the COSCO BOSTON, a huge container cargo ship on her south bound Panama Canal transit today October 20 2012 in the Miraflores Locks, Panama is in plain rainy season that is normally from April to December. The Canal operates 24/7 and in almost all weather situations.

Panama Canal Rainy Season




















From Wikipedia: The Gatun lake is important as a reservoir of water for the operation of the canal locks. Each time a ship transits the canal 202,000 m3 (53,400,000 US gal) of water is passed from the lake into the sea; with over 14,000 vessel transits per year, this represents a very large demand for water. Since rainfall is seasonal in Panama, the lake acts as a water store, allowing the canal to continue operation through the dry season.

Gatun Lake




Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Panama Canal Sets New Tonnage Record

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Press Release:

Date: 10-OCT-2012

PANAMA CITY, Panama, October 10, 2012 - The Panama Canal set a mark in its history as it reached a new tonnage record of 333.7 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS) during fiscal year 2012 which concluded on September 30. This achievement highlights the value of Panama and its significance as a link in the chain of global trade.

"This milestone attests to the reliable and continuous service offered by the Canal, which is supported by a workforce of 10,000 men and women. The Panama Canal works tirelessly to provide its customers with first-rate service, including new products and services in response to their evolving shipping and maritime needs," said Panama Canal Authority Administrator/CEO Jorge Luis Quijano.

Preliminary figures showed that the Panama Canal closed fiscal year 2012 with 333.7 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS). This figure represents an increase of 11.6 million Panama Canal tons or 3.6% compared to the 322.1 million tons registered last year, and also surpasses the previous 2007 record of 312.9 million tons. (Under PC/UMS, a mathematical formula is applied to the vessel´s total volume or cargo carrying capacity).

PC/UMS tonnage during the most recent fiscal years of the Panama Canal:
FY     PC/UMS
(in millions)
2002     235.1
2003     242.7
2004     266.9
2005     279.3
2006     297.8
2007     312.9
2008     309.6
2009     299.1
2010     300.8
2011     322.1
2012     333.7


During fiscal year 2012, Canal Waters Time (CWT) averaged 25.66 hours. The top market segments during this fiscal year were full container vessels with 119.8 million Panama Canal tons, followed by dry bulk carriers (83.4 million Panama Canal tons) and tankers (51.6 million Panama Canal tons).  The Panama Canal´s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please visit http://www.pancanal.com. You can also follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thepanamacanal.
Container vessel in the Panama Canal

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Vision of the Seas - Panama Canal Transit

In this image we see the MS Vision of the Seas, a Vision-class cruise ship, operated by Royal Caribbean International, in her south bound Panama Canal transit in the Gatun Locks, today October 9th 2012.
Vision of the Seas - Panama Canal Transit












The Vision OFT cruise ship in the Pedro Miguel Locks with the new
Panama Canal lock construction in the background.

Cruise Ships Panama Canal Transit

In the following images we see the Norwegian Jewel and the Island Princess in their respective north bound Panama Canal transits on Monday October 08 2012. The Norwegian Jewel  Cruise Ship is seen in the Gatun Lake approaching the Gatun Locks and in the other images togehter with the Island Princess cruise ship in the Gatun Locks. These Cruise ships pay record tolls for the Panama Canal transit that ranges up to 400'000 US Dollars depending on the ships sizes. The Panama Canal website states: "In the case of passenger vessels, the ACP assessed tolls based on the maximum passenger capacity in accordance with the International Tonnage Certificate 69, or the vessel’s passenger ship safety certificate; vessels over 30,000 gross tons and whose PC/UMS ÷ maximum passenger capacity ratio is equal to or less than 33 were charged on a per berth basis."
The 2 Cruise Ships in the Morning in the Miraflores Locks

The Norwegian Jewel and the Island Princess

The Island Princess in the Gatun Locks

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Ship

The Island Princess in the Gatun Lake

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Statendam Cruise Ship In The Panama Canal

Here we see the MS Statendam, a S class cruise ship with a capacity of 1,258 passengers operated by the Holland America Line, sailing under the flag of the Netherlands in her north bound Panama Canal transit leaving the Miraflores Locks, today on a sunny Sunday morning October 07, 2012. In the foreground we see the Asphalt Star a Tanker that sails under the flag of Greece.
The Statendam Cruise Ship In The Panama Canal

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Celebrity Infinity Panama Canal Transit

Here we see the Celebrity Infinity, a Millennium Class cruise ship, operated by Celebrity Cruises, in her north bound Panama Canal transit, in the Miraflores Locks, today October 4th 2012.

Celebrity Infinity Panama Canal Transit

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship

In this image we see the Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship, operated by Celebrity Cruises line, on her north bound Panama Canal transit, in the Gatun Locks, near Colon, today October 2, 2012.
Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship