The world’s largest container transport firm has welcomed the arrival of the expanded Panama Canal asserting it’s going to probably add capability and reroute bigger vessels to utilize the brand new locks.

With the opening of the growth this previous Sunday, Maersk Line, as one of many Panama Canal’s largest clients, stated it’s more likely to benefit from the expanded Panama Canal and reroute a number of companies.

The growth of the Panama Canal will double the waterway’s capability and permit the passage of so-called Neopanamax, or New Panamax, vessels with a capability of as much as 14,000 TEU.

Maersk Line says that in 2016 it expects to carry out greater than 400 vessel transits via the Panama Canal for a mixed 400,000 TEU and greater than $100 million in estimated Canal charges. In 2015, Maersk Line made 313 transits and paid $80 million in charges.

“As a long-time customer, Maersk Line welcomes the expansion of the Panama Canal. We look forward to seeing our larger vessels pass through the new locks. It is a very positive development for trade, Panama and the region, and of course the shipping lines that transit this important corridor every day,” stated Søren Toft, Chief Operating Officer at Maersk Line.

The Panama Canal accounts for roughly 5% of world sea commerce and the expanded Panama Canal is estimated to generate a 3% improve in cargo volumes transiting the Canal, based on Maersk.

“Since 60% of the Panama Canal traffic either begins or ends in US ports it will have a direct, notable impact on the trade between Asia and the United States East Coast,” the corporate stated.

Anders Boenaes, Head of Network at Maersk Line, commented: “The expansion provides us with more options, most notably to our Asia to South America and Asia to US East Coast routes. It is likely that Maersk Line will make increased use of the expanded Panama Canal and adjust one or more services with larger vessels to begin sailing through its new locks.”