Main Cargo Through the Panama Canal: Containers

Container Ships Dominate Panama Canal Traffic

The #1 commodity by volume and value transiting the Panama Canal is containerized cargo.

What's in the Containers?

• Consumer goods (electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances).
• Industrial parts, machinery, vehicles.
• Agricultural products (refrigerated: fruit, meat, fish).
• Chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals.

Other Major Commodities

• Dry bulk: Grains (soy, corn, wheat), coal, iron ore, bauxite.
• Liquid bulk: Crude oil, petroleum products, LNG, LPG, chemicals.
• Vehicle carriers: Ro-ro ships (cars, trucks, heavy equipment).

By the Numbers (FY2023)

• Transits: ~14,000 vessels.
• Tonnage: ~510M PC/UMS tons.
• Container share: ~50% of tonnage, ~70% of toll revenue.
• Neopanamax locks (2016): Handle 14,000+ TEU ships (up from 5,000).

The Canal is a linchpin of East Asia–US East Coast and Europe–West Coast South America trade.