AmericasOperations

8,500 teu ship suffers gash while transiting expanded Panama Canal

China Cosco Shipping now holds two records when it comes to transiting the newly expanded Panama Canal. Not only can it boast to being the first shipping line to do so towards the end of last month, it is now the first company to suffer an accident in the locks.

The 8,500 teu  Xin Fei Zhou containership hit a wall by the new locks at Agua Clara on the Atlantic side of the canal on Thursday afternoon. The Panama Canal Authority is investigating the incident and has said this is the first accident to have happened along the new locks.

The ship suffered a severe gash, while the canal wall had minor damage, however traffic was not affected. The Xin Fei Zhou is now being inspected.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
Back to top button