Panama Canal Expansion Plan

1 IMPACT

This project will increase the capacity of Panama Canal and meet demand growth with enhanced customer service. Since the Expansion will double the Canal’s capacity, there is no doubt that the economies of scale and international maritime trade will be improved. The Expansion will allow more huge vessels to go through the Canal. At the same time, new locks will be applied to fit more demands to control the height of ships passing through the Canal.

The Third Set of Locks projects is the most important component of the Expansion Project. Before the project, there is only two lock complexes in Panama Canal. After the project, the two lock complexes will be reconstructed in both sides of the Panama Canal, and create a third lane of traffic for bigger ships. Since each lock complex will have three levels or chambers, it is convenient for more different kinds of ships to pass through. That will definitely bring more opportunities for Panama Canal in the field of marine transportation, and at the same time drive the development of neighboring ports.

International container shipping

1. The advantages of new Canal will definitely improve the competitiveness of the Canal. Thus, the international container shipping is going to be busier and more prosperous with more frequent flow through the Canal. Nowadays, the throughput of Panama Canal has improved from 0.3 billion tons to 0.6 billion tons.

2. This project provide more options for shipment cargo from same origins and destinations, so the market share of marine transportation will be re-shuffled with more in Panama Canal related countries.

3. This project will also bring more opportunities for harbor cities along the lines passing through Panama Canal.

4. The demand of more trading volume cause the enlargement of vessels to improve transportation efficiency; mega vessels will be more common seen through Panama Canal.

5. Not only increase the efficiency of transportation but also increase trading volume....