« Links to Norton Lilly Panama Flash » « Overview of basic Canal costs and ancillary expenses and the "Handy Transit Booking Guide" Here » ---------------------- The Canal is 50 miles long from deep water in the Atlantic to deep water in the Pacific. The airline distance between the two entrances is 43 miles. 
The full transit requires 12 hours for an average ship. There are two sets of twin locks
and one set of three locks at Gatun, the Atlantic entrance.Each chamber is 110 feet wide and 1,000 feet long. A ship is raised or lowered 85 feet in a continuous flight of three steps at Gatun Locks. 
In accordance with the Torrijos - Carter treaties on October 1, 1979, the
operation and management of the Panama Canal were transferred to the Republic of
Panama on December 31, 1999.Due to its commitment of providing an excellent service, the Panama Canal is more efficient and capable now than when it started operations 87 years ago. Their continuous enhancement programs and the employees training guarantee their proud tradition of providing a reliable, safe and economical transit 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, year after year. |