MS Regatta Cruise Ship

In this image we see the MS Regatta, an R class cruise ship owned and operated by Oceania Cruises, in her north bound Panama Canal transit in the Gatun Locks, today December 31 2012.

MS Regatta Cruise Ship

Columbus 2 Cruise Ship

Here we see the Columbus 2, a R class cruise ship owned by Oceania Cruises, entering the Miraflores locks in her south bound Panama Canal transit today on a rainy afternoon December 28 2012.

Columbus 2 Cruise Ship

MV Silver Whisper Panama Canal

In this image we see the MV Silver Whisper cruise ship, operated by Silversea Cruises with a passenger capacity of 382 passengers and 295 crew members, in her south bound Panama Canal transit in the Pedro Miguel Locks in front is a huge car carrier and in the background we see the Panama Canal expansion works in progress.

Pedro Miguel Locks

Celebrity Century Cruise Ship

In this image we see the Celebrity Century cruise ship, the lead ship of the Century-class of cruise ships for Celebrity Cruises, in her south bound Panama Canal transit in the Miraflores locks today on Christmas eve December 24 2012. And while we are here we wish everybody happy holidays a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Good Health and Peace for everybody!

Celebrity Century Cruise Ship

Disney Wonder Cruise Ship

Here we see the Disney Wonder, a cruise ship operated by Disney Cruise Line, with a capacity of 2,400 passengers and 945 crew, in her north bound Panama Canal transit in the Pedro Miguel Locks in front of the Panama Canal expansion work in progress and in the second image leaving the Gatun Locks heading to the Atlantic Ocean, today December 17th 2013.

Disney Wonder Cruise Ship

Disney Wonder - Gatun Locks

Celebrity Infinity Cruise Ship

Here in this image we see the GTS Celebrity Infinity, a Millennium Class cruise ship owned and operated by Celebrity Cruises, in her north bound Panama Canal transit, today Sunday December 02 2012.  The Celebrity Infinity is huge and has 12 decks and a capacity of 2170 passengers.

Celebrity Infinity Cruise Ship

Big Container Cargo Ships

Here we see some examples of Big Container Cargo Ships in the Panama Canal Locks.

Big Container Cargo Ships

Big Container Cargo Ships

Zuiderdam Cruise Ship

Here we see the Zuiderdam Cruise Ship, a Vista class cruise ship owned and operated by Holland America Line with a Capacity 1,916 passengers and a crew of 842, doing a partial Panama Canal transit, that means she goes up the Gatun Locks into the Gatun Lake and later today goes back down the same way heading out again to the Caribbean sea. This image was taken today on November 15 2012.

Zuiderdam Cruise Ship

Crystal Symphony Panama Canal

Here in this image we see the Crystal Symphony cruise ship, owned and operated by Crystal Cruises, with a capacity of  922 passengers and 545 crew, just before entering the Pedro Miguel Locks in her south bound Panama Canal transit today November 9 2012. And in the second image entering the Miraflores Locks.

Crystal Symphony Panama Canal

Crystal Symphony entering the Miraflores Locks

Coral Princess Live Camera

Here we see 2 images from the north bound Panama Canal transit of the Coral Princess Cruise Ship, in one image we see the view from the cruise ships live cam  towards the Miraflores locks and the Miraflores Lake and in the second image from the live cam at the Miraflores Locks that can be found here. These images where taken today November 6th 2012. Plus we show you an embedded Google map showing the Panama Canal, you may zoom in to the Panama Canal and w see the locks in this or in satellite view.

View Larger Map

Coral Princess Live Camera

Coral Princess in the Miraflores Locks

Seabourn Sojourn Gatun Lake

Here in the attached image we see the Seabourn Sojourncruise ship, a luxury cruise ship operated by Seabourn Cruise Line, leaving the Gatun Locks and entering the Gatun Lake on her south bound Panama Canal transit today November 5th a National Holiday remembering the Consolidation of the separation of Panama from Colombia in 1903 - Colon Day.

Seabourn Sojourn Gatun Lake

Quest for Adventure Panama Canal

Here we see the cruise ship Quest for Adventure (formerly Astoria and Saga Pearl II)  with a maximum capacity of 602 passengers and a crew of 220 on her south bound Panama Canal transit today November 4th, a National Holiday in Panama (National Flags Day), in the Gatun Locks.

Quest for Adventure Panama Canal

Vision of the Seas Panama Canal

In this image we see the Vision of the Seas cruise ship in the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal, heading soon out to the Caribbean Sea. This image taken today October 29 on her north bound Panama Canal transit.

Vision of the Seas Panama Canal

2 Cruise Ships in the Panama Canal

In the first image we see the 2 cruise ships in the Gatun Locks today October 28 2012, the Veendam in her South Bound Panama Canal transit and the Island Princess cruise ship in her partial Panama Canal transit, the Island Princess heads only up the Gatun Locks into Lake Gatun and later today back out into the Caribbean again. In the second image taken in the afternoon we see the Veendam Cruise Ship in the Miraflores Locks.

2 Cruise Ships in the Gatun Locks

Veendam Cruise Ship in the Miraflores Locks

Panama Canal Rainy Season

Here we see the COSCO BOSTON, a huge container cargo ship on her south bound Panama Canal transit today October 20 2012 in the Miraflores Locks, Panama is in plain rainy season that is normally from April to December. The Canal operates 24/7 and in almost all weather situations.

Panama Canal Rainy Season

From Wikipedia: The Gatun lake is important as a reservoir of water for the operation of the canal locks. Each time a ship transits the canal 202,000 m3 (53,400,000 US gal) of water is passed from the lake into the sea; with over 14,000 vessel transits per year, this represents a very large demand for water. Since rainfall is seasonal in Panama, the lake acts as a water store, allowing the canal to continue operation through the dry season.

Gatun Lake

Panama Canal Sets New Tonnage Record

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Press Release:

Date: 10-OCT-2012

PANAMA CITY, Panama, October 10, 2012 - The Panama Canal set a mark in its history as it reached a new tonnage record of 333.7 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS) during fiscal year 2012 which concluded on September 30. This achievement highlights the value of Panama and its significance as a link in the chain of global trade.

"This milestone attests to the reliable and continuous service offered by the Canal, which is supported by a workforce of 10,000 men and women. The Panama Canal works tirelessly to provide its customers with first-rate service, including new products and services in response to their evolving shipping and maritime needs," said Panama Canal Authority Administrator/CEO Jorge Luis Quijano.

Preliminary figures showed that the Panama Canal closed fiscal year 2012 with 333.7 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS). This figure represents an increase of 11.6 million Panama Canal tons or 3.6% compared to the 322.1 million tons registered last year, and also surpasses the previous 2007 record of 312.9 million tons. (Under PC/UMS, a mathematical formula is applied to the vessel´s total volume or cargo carrying capacity).

PC/UMS tonnage during the most recent fiscal years of the Panama Canal:
FY     PC/UMS
(in millions)
2002     235.1
2003     242.7
2004     266.9
2005     279.3
2006     297.8
2007     312.9
2008     309.6
2009     299.1
2010     300.8
2011     322.1
2012     333.7


During fiscal year 2012, Canal Waters Time (CWT) averaged 25.66 hours. The top market segments during this fiscal year were full container vessels with 119.8 million Panama Canal tons, followed by dry bulk carriers (83.4 million Panama Canal tons) and tankers (51.6 million Panama Canal tons).  The Panama Canal´s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please visit http://www.pancanal.com. You can also follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thepanamacanal.

Container vessel in the Panama Canal

Vision of the Seas - Panama Canal Transit

In this image we see the MS Vision of the Seas, a Vision-class cruise ship, operated by Royal Caribbean International, in her south bound Panama Canal transit in the Gatun Locks, today October 9th 2012.

Vision of the Seas - Panama Canal Transit

The Vision OFT cruise ship in the Pedro Miguel Locks with the new
Panama Canal lock construction in the background.

Cruise Ships Panama Canal Transit

In the following images we see the Norwegian Jewel and the Island Princess in their respective north bound Panama Canal transits on Monday October 08 2012. The Norwegian Jewel  Cruise Ship is seen in the Gatun Lake approaching the Gatun Locks and in the other images togehter with the Island Princess cruise ship in the Gatun Locks. These Cruise ships pay record tolls for the Panama Canal transit that ranges up to 400'000 US Dollars depending on the ships sizes. The Panama Canal website states: "In the case of passenger vessels, the ACP assessed tolls based on the maximum passenger capacity in accordance with the International Tonnage Certificate 69, or the vessel’s passenger ship safety certificate; vessels over 30,000 gross tons and whose PC/UMS ÷ maximum passenger capacity ratio is equal to or less than 33 were charged on a per berth basis."

The 2 Cruise Ships in the Morning in the Miraflores Locks

The Norwegian Jewel and the Island Princess

The Island Princess in the Gatun Locks

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Ship

The Island Princess in the Gatun Lake

The Statendam Cruise Ship In The Panama Canal

Here we see the MS Statendam, a S class cruise ship with a capacity of 1,258 passengers operated by the Holland America Line, sailing under the flag of the Netherlands in her north bound Panama Canal transit leaving the Miraflores Locks, today on a sunny Sunday morning October 07, 2012. In the foreground we see the Asphalt Star a Tanker that sails under the flag of Greece.

The Statendam Cruise Ship In The Panama Canal

Celebrity Infinity Panama Canal Transit

Here we see the Celebrity Infinity, a Millennium Class cruise ship, operated by Celebrity Cruises, in her north bound Panama Canal transit, in the Miraflores Locks, today October 4th 2012.

Celebrity Infinity Panama Canal Transit

Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship

In this image we see the Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship, operated by Celebrity Cruises line, on her north bound Panama Canal transit, in the Gatun Locks, near Colon, today October 2, 2012.

Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship

Coral Princes Starts The Cruise Ship Season 2012 - 2013

With the arrival of the Coral Princes Cruise Ship yesterday to Panama and its north bound Panama Canal transit today the Cruise Ship Season 2012 - 2013 has now started. For this season Panama expects the arrival of round about 150 cruise ships for Canal transits, partial transits and or visits to its ports in Panama City or Colon. In this photo we see the Coral Princes Cruise Ship in the Miraflores Locks, today September 29 on a cloudy morning.

Coral Princes Cruise Ship

Coral Princes Cruise Ship

Panama Canal Transit North Bound

Here we see 2 ships on their respective north bound Panama Canal Transits, these images where taken in March 2012 and show the Coral Princess Cruise Ship heading into the Culebra Cut, passing the Centennial Bridge and also the Unique Explorer a Hong Kong based Cargo Ship.

Panama Canal Transit North Bound

Container Cargo Ships

Here we see 2 Container Cargo Ships the CCNI AQUILES sailing under Cyprus Flag and the SANTA PHILIPPA sailing under German Flag in their respective south bound Panama Canal transits today, late afternoon, on a rainy September Friday 21. 2012 in the Miraflores Locks.

Container Cargo Ships

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship

Here are some more images from last years transit of the Norwegian Star Cruise Ship in October I think it was. The Norwegian Star Cruise Ship is seen here after passing Gamboa with some big container ship crossing the canal on the same spot.

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship and container cargo ship

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship

Jorge Quijano New Administrator of the Panama Canal

Jorge Quijano takes over as of today as the new Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority replacing Alberto Aleman Zubieta, who headed the ACP  for 16 years.

Panama Canal

Pedro Miguel Locks plus construction site for the new Locks

Bridge of Las Americas Panama Canal

Here we see an image taken from a departing flight of the bridge of Las Americas at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal with a huge cargo ship heading towards the Miraflores Locks.

Bridge of Las Americas Panama Canal

Zuiderdam Cruise Ship in the Panama Canal

Here we see the Zuiderdam Cruise Ship in the Miraflores Locks in her North bound Panama Canal Transit, this image was taken back in 2006 on October 15. This cruise ships image can also be downloaded in a bigger version as computer desktop wallpaper here.

Zuiderdam Cruise Ship in the Panama Canal

Lock Door Maintenance

Here we see the huge Titan floating crane working hard doing maintenace work on the upper Miraflores Lock doors, today on August 2 2012. In the background we see a heavy thunderstorm appraching as is usual in the middle of the rainy season.

Lock Door Maintenance

Coral Princess in the Gatun Locks

Here we see the Coral Princess cruise ship in the Gatun Locks on her north bound Panama Canal transit in a picture taken a few years ago. As always there is allot of traffic on the Canal.

Coral Princess in the Gatun Locks

Falcon overlooks the Miraflores Locks

Checking out the live online cam at the Miraflores Locks today,  I came across this little Falcon overlooking the Locks operations. In the backgound we can the YM KEELUNG, a huge container cargo ship, on her south bound Panama Canam transit.

Falcon overlooks the Miraflores Locks

The Norwegian Jade Cruise Ship entering the Panama Canal

Norwegian Jade, a Jewel-class cruise ship, is a cruise ship for Norwegian Cruise Line, seen here back in January of 2008 on her North Bound Panama Canal transit just as she enters the Canal below the bridge of las Americas.

The Norwegian Jade Cruise Ship entering the Panama Canal

Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Time-Lapse

Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Time-Lapse 1 week compressed into 11 minutes, Creator: Stephan van der Palen. via Youtube:

Cargo Ships in the Panama Canal

Here we see 2 cargo ship, the  Sophie Oldendorff a cargo ship and the NYK Demeter a Cargo Ship with containers, leaving the Miraflores locks in their respective north bound Panama Canal transits, today on a sunny Sunday morning, May 27 2012.

Cargo Ships in the Panama Canal

The Celebrity Millennium in the Panama Canal

Here we see the Celebrity Millennium, a Millennium Class of cruise ships, operated by Celebrity Cruises line entering the Miraflores Locks on her south bound Panama Canal transit, today May 17 2012. The Celebrity Millennium has 11 passenger accessible decks and a capacity of 1,950 passengers and over 920 Crew.

The Celebrity Millennium approaching the Miraflores Locks

The Celebrity Millennium in the Panama Canal