June,7th
Dry Bulk Carrier to Start Transit Trials in Panama Canal
A Baby Cape size dry bulk carrier Baroque will start daily transit trials through the Panama Canal’s new Atlantic-facing Agua Clara locks in preparation for the opening of the Canal’s expansion in June, said Panama Canal Pilot Training Coordinator Peter Pusztai in an industry newsletter Tuesday.
According to MANA, A Baby Cape size dry bulk carrier Baroque will start daily transit trials through the Panama Canal’s new Atlantic-facing Agua Clara locks in preparation for the opening of the Canal’s expansion in June, said Panama Canal Pilot Training Coordinator Peter Pusztai in an industry newsletter Tuesday.
“The vessel will be used to perform multiple daily lockages through the new Atlantic-facing Agua Clara locks,” Pusztai said.
In addition to testing the new locks, these transits will also enable pilots, tugboat captains and deck officers to practise operating within the expanded Canal, he added.
The vessel is expected to arrive at the Panama Canal June 7. S&P Global Platts trade flow software cFlow showed the vessel left Vadinar, India, May 2 and is expected to reach Durban in South Africa May 16.
Built in 2011, the 114,248 dwt Baroque is 255 meters in length and has a beam of 43 meters.
The 80-km long Panama Canal is being widened, and when the new locks are inaugurated June 26, ships with a larger draft, longer beam and length overall will be able to pass through.