Panamax

ship

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "Panamax" refers to the largest ship size that can transit the Panama Canal. These ships range from 200 to 250 meters (650 to 820 feet) in length and have capacities of 50,000 to 80,000 deadweight tons (dwt). The Panama Canal, completed in 1914, connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, significantly shortening shipping routes by allowing vessels to bypass South America. The canal's dimensions, including the width of the Gaillard Cut and the locks, determine the maximum size of ships that can pass through. Expansion projects have increased the canal's capacity and allowed for larger "neo-Panamax" ships.1234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Gaillard Cut
…needed to accommodate two passing PANAMAX vessels. Prior to the work, the dimensions of these massive ships, built to the maximum size that will pass through a canal lock, limited them to one-way traffic while in the cut. As the number of these ships in service was expected to increase,…
Read More
…needed to accommodate two passing PANAMAX vessels. Prior to the work, the dimensions of these massive ships, built to the maximum size that will pass through a canal lock, limited them to one-way traffic while in the cut. As the number of these ships in service was expected to increase,…
Read More

tanker
Panamax. The maximum size that can transit the Panama Canal, these tankers range in length between 200 and 250 metres (650 and 820 feet) and have capacities of 50,000 to 80,000 dwt. They carry 350,000 to 500,000 barrels. Handymax, Handysize, Coastal, and other classes. These…
Read More
Panamax. The maximum size that can transit the Panama Canal, these tankers range in length between 200 and 250 metres (650 and 820 feet) and have capacities of 50,000 to 80,000 dwt. They carry 350,000 to 500,000 barrels. Handymax, Handysize, Coastal, and other classes. These…
Read More