A post-Panamax renaissance

A new generation of mega ships is set to take advantage of Panama’s $5.25bn expansion.
With its cargo of green and orange, rust red and silver grey containers piled high, the Antwerpen Express seems too big to fit inside the locks at Miraflores on the Panama Canal. But under the gentle buffeting of two tug boats, the Hapag Lloyd ship finally slips into place and is lifted upwards to carry on its journey to the Atlantic Ocean.