This report is intended to provide to the Panama  Canal clients a better comprehension of the programing of the of schedules of the Panama Canal.

The principal objective of the Division of operations and transit of the Panama Canal Authority  is to ensure the safe transit of all vessel through the waterway

The special unit of maritime traffic division is responsible for the scheduling of transits, coordination , supervision of traffic of vessel through the Panama Canal , included the terminal ports of Balboa in the pacific side and Cristobal at the Atlantic side.

The daily programing of the transit through the canal are extremely complex process , due to a series of rules, regulations, and restrictions.

The climate, the availability of vessels and the availability of resources are also some of the conditions that produce variations in the schedules of transit .

What determines the number of vessels in a schedule ?

  1. The amount of vessels that can be arranged for that period of time .
  2. Type and dimensions of vessel available for the period of time.
  3. Conditions within the canal
  4. Restrictions in the canal