First LPG vessel passes through expanded Panama Canal

An LPG vessel passes through the expanded Panama Canal. Photo courtesy of the Panama Canal Authority.

The expanded Panama Canal is now open for commercial transit.

The Panama Canal Authority held an inauguration ceremony June 26 to commemorate the expanded canal, which has received more than 170 reservations for transit through the new passageway.

The first commercial passage of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessel through the canal’s new locks followed June 27.

The very large gas carrier Lycaste Peace, owned by Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), originated in Houston. According to the Panama Canal Authority, the LPG tanker measures 230 meters in length and 37 meters in beam.

Ironically, NYK sent the first Japanese-flagged vessel through the Panama Canal when it first opened in 1914, the company says.

The NYK vessel that passed through the expanded canal procured LPG for Tokyo-based Astomos Energy Corp., which expects to grow its LPG business in the coming years.