Why the expansion happened
By the early 2000s, the canal was bumping against capacity limits. Ship sizes were growing faster than the 1914 locks could handle, and a third of the global commercial fleet was already too big (Post-Panamax class). Losing that traffic would mean the canal slowly losing relevance. Panama needed to build bigger locks or watch the future sail past.
The project
Approved by Panamanian referendum in 2006. Construction started 2007. Budget $5.25 billion. Two new lock complexes: Cocoli on the Pacific (next to Miraflores) and Agua Clara on the Atlantic (next to Gatun Locks). Plus widening and deepening of Gatun Lake and dredging of both canal entrances. Delays pushed completion from 2014 (canal centenary year) to June 2016.
How the new locks work
Each new lock complex has three chambers in a single chain (vs two chambers at Miraflores, three at Gatun). Chambers are 427 meters long, 55 meters wide, 18 meters deep. Each chamber has three water-saving basins alongside that store and reuse 60 percent of the water per transit. Ships are pulled in and out by tugboats, unlike the original locks which use electric locomotives on rails (mulas).
Neopanamax ships
- Max length: 366 meters (vs 294 for original Panamax)
- Max beam: 49 meters (vs 32 for original)
- Max draft: 15 meters (vs 12 for original)
- Max container capacity: 14,000 TEU (vs 5,000 for original Panamax)
- Transit time: similar to original, around 10 hours ocean to ocean
How to see the new locks
Pacific side: the new observation deck at Miraflores Visitor Center (opened 2019) has views of both the original Miraflores and the new Cocoli Locks a short distance west. Included with normal $20 entry.
Atlantic side: Agua Clara Visitor Center is the dedicated Neopanamax viewing point. Clear view of the three-stage new locks in action. $20 entry, 90 minutes from Panama City or 20 minutes from Colon cruise port. Most Agua Clara tours include a Gatun Lake boat ride for monkey spotting.
What is next
The canal is already considering a further expansion for even larger ships by 2040. Water supply is the biggest challenge: the canal depends on freshwater from Gatun Lake, and multi-year droughts in 2019 and 2023-2024 forced temporary transit limits. A third reservoir project is under debate.
Frequently asked questions
By 2006 the canal was near capacity and the original 1914 locks could not handle the biggest container ships and LNG carriers being built. A third of the global commercial fleet was already too big. Panama approved an expansion to add larger locks and double capacity.
Neopanamax ships can be up to 366 meters long, 49 meters wide, and 15 meters deep. Capacity up to 14,000 TEU (container units), nearly triple the original Panamax limit. The new locks themselves are 427 meters long and 55 meters wide.
Each new lock chamber has three water-saving basins that store and reuse 60 percent of the water per transit. A Neopanamax transit uses less water than an original Panamax transit despite larger ship size.
On the Pacific side, Cocoli Locks can be seen from the Miraflores Visitor Center new observation deck. On the Atlantic side, Agua Clara Visitor Center (20 minutes from Colon cruise port) has a dedicated observation deck for the new locks.
