The Panama Canal - "The Big Ditch"

January 24, 2024

Hey, we could use some rain here…

 

It’s doubtful that anyone could say they don’t know about the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal … or it’s history and importance to the world shipping lanes and markets.  It is still one of the modern marvels of the world.

To get a little more specific, the canal is an 82-kilometer water way complete with lakes, locks, and large ships wanting to take the shortcut which the canal has offered since 1914.  The SS Ancon was the very first boat thru the canal as it went from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  In September of 2010, the bulk carrier Fortune Plum became the one millionth vessel to make it thru.   Oddly enough, on Leap Day in 1968, the highest number of transits in a single day was recorded when 68 vessels made it through.

Take a look at this link which is from our first go around.  Panama Canal 2019 It offers more statistics and facts about the canal.   I would like to talk about what is going on more recently at this point.

Most readily noticeable as we pushed into the lock system and subsequent lake is the problem of fresh water available to operate and keep the locks working.   Panama is in the middle of a major drought of several years.  The man-made Gatun Lake which feeds so much of the water that the locks use is facing decreasing levels every day.  The normal for the lake is a level of at least 27 meters above sea level.  Erosion, deforestation and higher shipping demands have all exacerbated this severe drought problem.  When operating normally, each ship uses millions of gallons of this fresh water as it makes its way either east to west or west to east.

In 2007, construction of the expanded canal began.  This canal, called a neopanamax lock was built to accommodate today’s newer, even larger vessels and luckily, they have incorporated newer technologies such as rolling gates and green construction to help make each journey a bit more efficient.  This channel began operation in 2016.

It is still a full day’s journey for us to make our way thru the canal today.   Even when out in the main channel and lakes, we have to keep our speed down to help avoid further shore damage.   We utilized three different canal pilots to complete our journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  Today’s transit cost Holland America $331,745 US.   Plus, anther $35,000 US just to make the appointment to assure our spot.  Travel thru the canal has been cut back almost 40% over the past few years due to the water shortage.   We saw what looked like a hundred ships moored out in the lakes and seas either waiting for their chance to move through or until enough money could be raised to pay their way.

Another story of this day was that once we were thru the canal, we were to meet up with a floating gas station per se and get refueled.  We had to pay for this hook-up, too, in the neighborhood of $30,000 or so.   Well, as you might expect, we were in our designated spot, but they were not. A little more than 2 hours later they show up and things went from bad to badder.   Their crew was very inept.  It took them 2 more hours just to come up beside us, lines got tangled up, and I mean big heavy lines that cannot just be undone and tried again.  The captain explained that it looked like the Keystone Cops were out there.  So, we took on our fuel and then there was a big dispute about the amount transferred.   We said one thing and they said another amount, etc.   And when I talk about amounts, it isn’t like filling up your car.   Captain did not mention the amount of the discrepancy but when you are to take on 223,000 some odd gallons of various fuel types, it can add up pretty darn quick.   Captain said that formal protests were filed by us, and you could tell he was more than just a little pissed off.

As you would expect, it was still a hugely interesting day.   Everyone enjoys and admires the process of getting thru the canal.  A favorite day for many.  

But now, we are in the Pacific Ocean.   We are heading to Costa Rica now after a sea day. 

Thanks for continuing to sail with us in spirit.  Hope everyone made it thru the severe cold spell and hopefully we won’t see any more of that for this winter.

Take care everyone!

LeRoy & Vi