Panama Canal so Clogged Shipping Company Paid $4M to cross

MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking Intelligence | AIS Marine Traffic

A lot of traffic already going around the south end of Africa and South America.

 

Wasn't there a wider and better canal under way, or had it started yet?

 

So what they don’t have enough water or they are purposely slowing things down for extra money?

 

Wow think we're all somehow in the wrong business owning a canal between major oceans seems like a very good option.

 

This was the whole idea behind the Suez and Panama Canals it saved shipping companies time and money to go the shortest route to their destination, just like driving trucks I suppose if you can shorten your route by 100 miles you'll save a good 1 hr & 1/4 in time and quite a bit of diesel. Obviously major shipping companies moving frieght from China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan if going to LA or San Fransico won't have an issue, but to go to Europe sailing right down the tip of South America is long way to go not to mention the rougher ocean. Yes the Arctic Circle has become a newer option and would be a short route also but the risk of large Icebergs would force the ships to travel at a much slower pace.