From October 2014 through March 2015, cargo shipments in dry bulkers through the Panama Canal increased by 8 percent, equaling 66 million long tons in total.

During this time, the Panama Canal registered more than 2,008 transits of dry bulkers, which is 257 more transits compared to the previous fiscal year. The surge in cargo traffic was driven mainly by grains, salt, minerals, metals and manufactures of iron and steel.

Furthermore, dry bulkers moved nearly 50 percent of total canal cargo and are the second leading vessel type transiting the waterway.