Container ship traffic through the Panama Canal reached record-breaking levels during the first five months of 2025, with more than 1,200 vessel transits through the locks in both directions, marking an all-time high for this period.
This figure represents a 10.2% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2024, and a 4.1% rise over the previous record set in early 2022.
The surge has been driven primarily by the Neo Sub-Panamax fleet, consisting of vessels with a capacity between 7,500 and 10,000 TEUs.
These ships have emerged as the dominant class transiting the canal, accounting for more than 25% of all container ship movements since January.
Their transits have surged by an impressive 30.2% year-on-year, reflecting strong demand for this vessel size category and the canal’s strategic relevance for mid-size mainline services.
In contrast, the Suez Canal continues to see significantly reduced traffic.
Container ships with capacities above 4,000 TEUs are now rarely observed on the route, and even the Sub-Panamax segment has declined sharply.
In May, monthly container ship crossings through the Suez Canal dropped below 100 for the first time since July 2024, highlighting the ongoing impact of geopolitical and routing shifts in global trade.
