Neo-Panamax / New-Panamax

Maximum vessel size for the post-2016 Panama Canal expansion: 366 m LOA × 49 m beam × 15.2 m draft tropical fresh.

In practice

Standard size for trans-Pacific container service since 2016 Panama Canal expansion. Beam up to 49 m, capacity ~13,000 TEU. Most ports on Asian / US west coast routes accommodate Neo-Panamax.

Regulatory detail & full definition

A new generation of container ships (~14,000 TEU) and LNG carriers (~180,000 m³) was designed exactly to these limits. Older Panamax vessels remain valid but compete in the same locks. Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV, 18,000+ TEU) cannot transit and use Suez or Cape routes.

Authoritative source: Panama Canal Authority ↗

Source: Panama Canal Authority Vessel Inspection Standards

High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade.

Found an error on this page? Report it →

Neo-Panamax / New-Panamax

In practice

Related

Neo-Panamax / New-Panamax

In practice

Related