Traffic through Panama Canal sets pace for a record in freight this year

Shipments through the Panama Canal are on pace to climb to a record this year, surpassing levels set before the global economic slump.

Traffic volume increased about 20 million metric tons from October through March from the same period a year earlier, a 13 percent gain.

Shipments for fiscal year 2010 were 300 million metric tons, up from 298 million in 2009 and trailing the record 312 million in 2007.

Original source: Bloomberg