Chinese Ship Wins the “Lottery” to Transit the New Panama Canal

2020

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A Chinese freighter will become the first ship to pass through Panama’s newly expanded canal, which is set for a grand opening in June after nine years of work, officials said on April 29.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced on Friday that China owned COSCO Shipping had won the draw to inaugurate the Expanded Panama Canal this June with one of its mega vessels.

“The shipping line’s container vessel Andronikos will be making the inaugural transit,” the ACP said in a press release.

The draw took place between the Norwegian/Swedish shipping line Wallenius Wilhemsen Lines (WWL) and China COSCO on early Friday morning at the Panama Canal Administration Building.

“It is a great honor to have one of our top customers celebrate this historical moment with us,” said Panama Canal Administrator, Jorge L. Quijano.

Reports say that from June 27 more than 100 Neopanamax-size cargo ships have reserved for their commercial transit through the new larger locks, the day after the historic inauguration, the ACP said.

Source: Xinhua