MSC Marie Sets Record for Largest Cargo Vessel Through Panama Canal

The MSC Marie. Photo: Panama Canal Authority.

The container ship MSC Marie marked a milestone on Aug. 30 by becoming the largest capacity Neopanamax to transit through the Panama Canal.

With a length of 366 meters (1,200 feet) and a width of 51 meters (167.4 feet), the MSC Marie boasts a maximum capacity of 17,640 TEUs, a new record for the interoceanic route.

This achievement surpassed the previous record held by the Ever Max vessel, which made the transit at a capacity of 17,312 TEUs during its inaugural passage in August 2023.

The MSC Marie’s arrival in Panama, coming from Mexico’s Port of Manzanillo, not only highlights the canal’s ability to handle the largest and most modern ships, according to the Panama Canal Authority, but also its importance as a key hub in global trade.

“This achievement,” the Authority said in a statement, “is a testament to the continuous efforts of the canal workers, whose commitment reaffirms the reliability and efficiency of our route.”

The record-breaking transit came 10 days after the Panama Canal marked its 110th anniversary as a waterway, and several months after the peak of a prolonged drought in the country.

Due to the lengthy lack of rain in 2023, the Panama Canal—which is typically traversed by 14,000 ships each year – saw its water levels dip to a level that had officials concerned. The lower water levels led to a traffic jam of container ships developing in the waterway, waiting to pass through the canal.

However, the subsequent rainy season of 2024 helped the reservoirs recover to water levels more commonly expected for the time of year. The country’s rainy season is typically May through December.