The opening of an expanded Panama Canal, now due for April 2016, will reshape modern ship definitions with a whole class of ships set to disappear. Today's Panamax vessels, which are in the 4,800 teu to 5,300 teu range depending on their dimensions and loading configuration, currently ply the Asia-US East Coast, Europe-west coast South America, and Asia-east coast South America trades. These vessels are likely to disappear from these trades altogether, as vessel operators opt for the lower slot costs offered by what Alphaliner terms the neo-Panamax class, that will come into existence once the expansion project is complete. "Roughly half of the maxi-Panamaxes of 4,800 to 5,300 teu currently in service are employed on Panama routes, and most of them would be made redundant," the consultant said, adding that many of the current vessels are likely to be destined for the scrapyard.
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