Maersk to transport goods via Panama land bridge

Based on current and projected water levels in Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has needed to make reductions to the amount and weight of vessels that can pass through the canal. Whilst Maersk continues to work closely with the ACP, moderating and aligning its operations to fit the changes, it has made changes to services to ensure that its customers are impacted as minimally as possible.

The vessels that utilised the Panama Canal before will omit the Panama Canal and use a 'land bridge' that utilises rail to transport cargo across the 80 km of Panama to the other side. This creates two separate loops, one Atlantic and one Pacific. Pacific vessels will turn at Balboa, Panama, dropping off cargo heading for Latin America and North America and picking up cargo heading for Australia and New Zealand. Atlantic vessels will turn at Manzanillo, Panama, dropping off cargo heading for Australia and New Zealand and picking up cargo heading for Latin and North America.

Northbound vessels:

On northbound vessels, there are no delays to cargo stopping in Philadelphia and Charleston.

Southbound vessels:

On southbound vessels, Maersk customers may experience some delays.

Omittance on OC1 route:

To ensure cargo moves on this route, Maersk will be omitting Cartagena. Customers with cargo to route through Cartagena will be served through alternate vessels.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/rail-barge/11012024/maersk-to-transport-goods-via-panama-land-bridge/