THE 8,800-TEU MSC Caterina became the 3,000th neopanamax vessel to transit the Panama Canal on March 2 as it travelled from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

The vessel is 300 metres long and 48 metres abeam, and one of nine neopanamaxes through the canal on that day.

"Today's milestone, achieved in less than two years of operation, serves as a proud reminder of the confidence that our customers and the broader maritime industry have placed in our route," said canal administrator Jorge Luis Quijano.

Since its inauguration on June 26, 2016, the neopanamax locks have had a positive effect on economies of global scales by providing the shipping industry with greater capacity to transport cargo between production centres and consumer centres, using neopanamax vessels.

Fifty-three per cent of vessels through the canal have been containerships, 28 per cent have been LPG carriers and 10 per cent have been LNG carriers. Liquid bulk tankers and car carriers make up the rest.

The 1,000th transit took place on March 19, 2017 nine months after it opened, and the 2,000th went through on September 26, 2017.