The shipping platform

Location: The Panama Canal crosses the isthmus of Panama from NW to SE. General overview: The length of the canal is approx 82km (51nm) from deep water in the Caribbean to deep water in the Pacific. It is located in the territory of the Republic of Panama. The Panama Canal Authority is responsible for the operation of the Panama Canal. In fulfilling its obligation, the Authority manages, operates and maintains the Canal, its complementary works, installations and equipment and provides for the orderly transit of vessels through the canal. Traffic figures: Approx 12,500 transits of vessels, 204,500,000t of cargo transit through the Canal annually. Load line zone: Tropical. Max size: Current Max Dimensions: Largest vessel handled: Panamax: LOA 299m, beam 32.6m. Maximum Length: The maximum acceptable LOA for a regular transit of a commercial vessel, including the bulbous bow, is 289.5m (950ft). For passenger and container ships, the max LOA may be up to 294.1m (965ft). Advance approval is required for the initial transit of all vessels which exceed 274.3m (900ft). The max acceptable LOA for a regular transit of an integrated tug-barge combination is 274.3m (900ft), including the length of the tug. A tug-barge combination must transit together as one unit, with the tug supplying the propelling power. The max acceptable aggregate LOA for a transit of a non-self-propelled vessel is 259m (850ft), including the length of accompanying tugs. Accompanying tugs must lock through with the non self propelled vessel. Max Beam: The max acceptable extreme beam for a regular transit of a commercial vessel or of an integrated tug-barge is 32.3m (106ft). Wider commercial vessels, including integrated tug-barge combinations, which have an extreme beam of up to 32.6m (107ft) may, with prior approval, be permitted to transit on a one time delivery basis only, if the vessel's deepest point of immersion does not exceed 11.2m (37ft) TFW. Max Height: The max allowable height for any vessel transiting the Canal or entering the port of Balboa at any state of the tide is 57.9m (190ft) measured from the waterline to its highest point. With prior permission from the Transit Operations Division Manager, height may be permitted to 62.5m (205ft) on a case by case basis with the passage of Balboa at MLWS. Panama Expansion size (Aug 2014): LOA 366m, beam 49m, draught 15.2m TFW. The new locks will be 427m long, 55m wide and 18.3m deep.