by Mattia Micheli, SeaNewsEditor

MSC Marie is the largest Neopanamax vessel in terms of capacity to have ever crossed the canal, said the Panama Canal Authority in a statement on 30 August.

Built in 2024, the vessel boasts a capacity of 17,640 TEU, is 366 meters long, and has a 51-meter beam.

This new ocean giant surpasses the previous record held by the 17,312 TEU Ever Max, which crossed the channel in August 2023.

The Panama Canal Authority went on to say that the crossing operation has shown the canal's central role as a logistic hub and its ability to handle the largest and most advanced vessels.

MSC Maria began its transit on the Pacific side of the canal after sailing from Manzanillo, Mexico. It is currently located in the Caribbean Sea.

According to MSC's website, the vessel is deployed on the Santana service, which covers Asia to East Coast South America via the Panama Canal and Cape of Good Hope.