The canal is an engineering marvel. Since it opened in 1914, it has had and continues to have a significant impact on the economy and politics of Panama. It is 80km long and more than 14,000 ships pass through the canal each year. New locks are under construction, and are planned to open in 2014, the 100th anniversary of the canal. The new locks will be bigger, and accommodate some of the newer larger vessels that travel the oceans today.
We were fortunate to see a large container ship pass through: a much more impressive sight than watching the small pleasure crafts and tug boats pass through.
We were fortunate to see a large container ship pass through: a much more impressive sight than watching the small pleasure crafts and tug boats pass through.
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| Cargo ship pushed toward lock entrace via tugboats. |
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| Tugboats replaced with "mules" that run along rail track and keep the ship centred within the lock. |
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| Locks close, and the water level drops. |
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| When water level has dropped, gates open and the ship passes into the second of the three chambers. |
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| Smaller boats don't need the help of the "mules" and are much less dramatic to watch. |
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| Water level rises and the gates open. |