The Panama Canal, inaugurated in 1914 and handed over to Panama by the United States in 1999, has experienced significant revenue growth since then. The canal has increased its earnings following the inauguration of an expansion in 2016, which allowed the passage of Neopanamax ships, the largest size, benefiting 180 shipping routes that connect with 1,920 ports in 170 countries.
Since its opening, more than 1.2 million ships have transited the canal, with the United States standing out as the primary point of origin and destination for cargo. In the last fiscal year, most of the ships that crossed the canal were related to the United States, followed by China, Japan, South Korea, Chile, and Mexico. Although the number of transits has remained relatively stable, the tonnage has steadily increased.
The toll that ships pay to pass through the canal is calculated based on a fixed fee according to the lock used and the size category of the ship, plus a variable fee for cargo capacity. This calculation is made regardless of the ship's flag, according to the neutrality treaty. Since the canal's handover in 1999, significant growth in transited tonnage has been observed, with record figures reached.
Regarding economic contributions to the Panamanian state, before 1999, $1.878 billion was recorded over 85 years, while from the transfer until 2024, $28.232 billion has been generated. Contributions have increased year after year, especially after the 2016 expansion. Additionally, tolls from warships have been counted, which follow a different calculation than for commercial ships.
The Panama Canal has been a significant source of revenue for Panama since its U.S. administration to the present, with economic contributions on the rise. Despite threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of force to "recover" the canal, Panamanian authorities have denied China's presence and defended fair treatment for all ships transiting the waterway.
