A Chinese bulk carrier has become the millionth vessel to cross the Panama Canal since it was built almost 96 years ago.
Panama Canal authorities are marking the milestone by presenting the Hong Kong-flagged Fortune Plum’s captain a plaque and a photo of the vessel as it crossed the waterway on Sept. 4.
Panama Canal vice president of operations Manuel Benitez presented the award to ship captain Ji Jian on Wednesday as the ship headed back to Asia.
The canal was built by the United States in 1914 and handed over to Panama in 1999.
Last year, authorities began the waterway’s biggest expansion project to add two wider sets of locks that can accommodate wider vessels.
About 4 percent of the world’s maritime trade passes through the canal’s locks.
by Businessweek