Panama Canal Expansion

The entire international logistics world, especially freight forwarders, is anticipating the expansion of the Panama Canal. When this construction project is complete, it will make freight shipping between Asia and the US West Coast between the US East Coast and Europe easier and more efficient than ever. By expanding the Panama Canal, the hope is to widen the capacity that the canal could receive. Many experts believe that the if the Panama Canal has more capacity, there could be more vessels that go through, including additional space for larger vessels. If larger vessels were to pass through, there could be more cargo on board as a result.

Currently, ports around the US are getting ready for the Panama Canal expansion and expecting increased cargo traffic. They are preparing for this by upgrading equipment at the ports. And the Bayonne Bridge in New Jersey and New York will be heightened to make more room for the large ocean container vessels.

Some parties stand opposed to the Panama Canal project, citing a number of problems. Opponents say that the project is not needed and they are concerned about the billions of dollars used for constructing the expansion. The Panama Canal expansion was expected to be completed originally in 2014. However, there have been delays in the construction and now it will not be complete until at least the middle of 2015. The impact that the Panama Canal Expansion on ocean freight shipping rates has yet to be determined, but there could be a positive impact.