The spike represents a year-on-year increase of 4.3 percent and highlights the canal's value and significance to global maritime trade, says the ACP.
The previous record was set in FY2012 when the canal experienced 333.7 million PC/UMS tons. This year's record surpasses that amount by more than seven million tons.
Container ships registered the most total tonnage, followed by dry bulk, liquid bulk and car carriers. Compared to the other segments, liquid bulk saw the most notable boost, reporting an increase of 23 percent, or 11.9 million PC/UMS tons, due to booming diesel, gasoline and propane exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast to South America and Asia.
