Panama Canal accidents drop to lowest level in 2006 fiscal year

The number of maritime accidents in the Panama Canal fell to a mere 10 in the 2006 fiscal year, equaling the 2004 level, the lowest annual total since 1923, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said on Wednesday.

"We are continuing to break records in tonnage and the number of journeys by boats in the Panamax class," he said.

According to Miguel Rodriguez, head of the ACP's inspectors committee, 14,194 boats had used the canal over the 2006 fiscal year, 14,011 in 2005, and 14,035 in 2004.

In 1923, only 3,967 boats used the Canal.

Source: Xinhua