The Panama Canal Authority’s proposed new rate structure aims to make the canal more attractive for container-lines. It will do this by cutting rates for “return” journeys under certain conditions. Panjiva analysis of official data shows utilization of Neopanamax slots has stabilized at under 90%. Meanwhile volumes in the first four months of the year have varied by +/- 4% of the average. That, combined with U.S. ports’ market share of Asian-outbound traffic, likely reflects carriers having settled on new routes.