This paper describes the role of the Panama Canal in establishing and opening new global trade routes as well as the ambitious expansion project currently underway designed to meet the needsof the XXIth century global trade.
I. Background .-- II. Infrastructure and existing canal capacity, expansion project .-- III. Principal cargoes, trade routes, types and size of ships that transit
through the Panama Canal .-- IV. Panama Canal expansion project .-- V. Potential implications of the Panama Canal expansion .-- VI. Conclusions and recommendations.
