Collects $2.1 billion in revenues

The total revenues of the canal were up by 14 percent, in comparison with the same period last year.

Around $1.3 billion was collected in tolls, $428 million in services and $261.5 million from other sources.

The traffic through the canal went down 0.1 percent, how important increments were registered in other sectors such as the transit of tankers and cruise ships.

There was also ar ise of 3.9 percent in the number of transits with reservation.

Around 309.6 million tons passed through the canal, representing a decrease of 1.1 per cent for the same period last year.

The transit of tankers went up by 4.8 percent and the tonnage 8.6 percent, as a direct result of a major movement of oil between the United States Gulf and Chile.

The passengers ships sector experience an increase of 17.6 percent, mainly due to a hike in the number of smaller cruise ships going through the canal.

On the negative side, there was an increase of 13.3 percent in the time that it takes to cross the canal, which means that it currently takes 31.5 hours (including waiting time) due to maintenance work.