Panamanians voted on October 22 in a national referendum on a proposed expansion of the Panama Canal which will build a third lane of traffic along the waterway through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling Canal capacity.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) said it is pleased by the results of Panama's vote on Sunday to support the $5.25 billion improvement plan for the key waterway.

Upon completion, the new eight-year construction project will allow the Panama Canal to handle larger ships and more vessel transits.

The SCSPA watched Sunday's referendum on improvements to the Panama Canal with great interest, it said in a press release.  Charleston is home to a number of investments that allow it to handle post-Panamax ships.

As of today, Charleston is only able to handle post-Panamax ships in the trans-Atlantic and trans-Suez services. "With an improved canal, the options expand - both for us and for our customers," said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president and CEO of the SCSPA.

"The Port of Charleston sees the Panama Canal expansion proposal as a very aggressive plan and a very positive plan," said Groseclose.

Support for the scheme has also been expressed by Singapore.  During a visit to the Panama Canal last month,  Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, said:  "The Panama Canal expansion is important not just for Panama but for the entire [maritime] industry - for the global economy."