# Panama Canal

*Last updated: 2026-09-19*

> The Panama Canal is the roughly 82-kilometre artificial waterway linking the Atlantic, via the Caribbean, to the Pacific and sparing vessels the detour around Cape Horn.

The Panama Canal is the roughly 82-kilometre artificial waterway linking the Atlantic, via the Caribbean, to the Pacific and sparing vessels the detour around Cape Horn. It is operated by the Panama Canal Authority (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá, ACP) and has two lock systems: the Panamax locks of 1914 and the larger Neopanamax locks opened in 2016. Because ships are lifted through the canal using fresh water from Gatun Lake, its capacity depends directly on rainfall in the watershed; in dry periods the authority cuts the number of daily transit slots and the maximum authorised draft. For freight forwarders the canal matters above all on Asia to US East Coast trades and between the American west and east coasts. Restrictions there translate into longer waiting times, reduced cargo intake and surcharges such as the Panama Canal Surcharge. A transit date is secured only through a confirmed reservation in the ACP booking system.

**Source:** Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (pancanal.com), Advisory to Shipping A-29-2026 und Mitteilung «Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed» (20.08.2026)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Panama Canal |
| Language | FR |
| Word count | 153 |
| Last updated | 2026-09-19 |
| Source | Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (pancanal.com), Advisory to Shipping A-29-2026 und Mitteilung «Additional Measures to Address Reduced Precipitation in the Canal Watershed» (20.08.2026) |

## Related Pages

* [Bahia De Las Minas](https://www.freight-academy.com/fr/information/seaports/bahia-de-las-minas-port-pamnp)
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* [Chiriqui Grande](https://www.freight-academy.com/fr/information/seaports/chiriqui-grande-port-pa-chg)
* [Kingston](https://www.freight-academy.com/fr/information/seaports/kingston-port-jmkin)

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