Port Canaveral Welcomes First Post-Panamax Vehicle Carrier - High-capacity MOL’s Brooklands is one of the first of its kind to call on Port Canaveral

1/23/2018
Port Canaveral, FL – The new class of post-Panamax (PPX) shipping vessels made an inaugural visit to Port Canaveral recently. The PPX Ro/Ro vessel MOL’s Brooklands, is the first of its kind to call on Port Canaveral. With a 125-foot beam and capacity to transport over 7,400 vehicles, MOL’s Brooklands is the largest Post-Panamax vessel to call on the Port. The ship arrived at Port Canaveral, its first U.S. port of call, following transit through the expanded locks of the Panama Canal.

Ro/Ro Vessel MOL’s Brooklands
(Photo: Lester Hunt, MarineTraffic.com)

“The arrival of MOL’s Brooklands here marks a new chapter for our cargo operations. Large capacity vessels choosing Port Canaveral underscores the role this Port plays in driving economic opportunities for the Central Florida region,” said Port CEO, Captain John Murray. “The megaship era in global shipping has arrived at Port Canaveral.”

MOL’s Brooklands was built in 2017, is 199.96 meters (656 feet) in length with a beam of 38 meters (125 feet) in width. The massive car carrier, with a 72,700 GWT, discharged 315 new vehicles from Mexico at the AutoPort Canaveral, LLC facility at Port Canaveral before departing to Jacksonville, Florida.

The recently completed six-month deepening project of Port Canaveral’s West Turning Basin provides deeper draft vessel access equal to the authorized Port channel depth of -44 feet.

MOL’s Brooklands leaving Port Canaveral after discharging 315 new vehicles
(Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)

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Led by the elected five-member Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners and Port Director and CEO, Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral is one of the world's most dynamic and exciting ports. A world-class gateway for cruises, cargo, recreation and logistics, as well as a gateway to new frontiers, including space, Port Canaveral hosts more than 4 million revenue cruise passengers through its state-of-the-art terminals and 5.5 million of tons of cargo annually, including bulk, break-bulk, project, and containerized. The Port is strategically located to service all Florida markets, as well as the Southeastern United States. In addition to world class cruise facilities and diverse cargo operations, Port Canaveral offers more recreational opportunities than all other Florida deep-water seaports combined, including public parks, free public boat ramps, marinas, an entertainment district, and the seven-story interactive exhibit and event venue Exploration Tower. For more information, visit www.PortCanaveral.com.