Amazing aerial photos of the Panama Canal
The waterway's capacity has doubled. It was a $5 billion job.
Panama Canal Expansion
Ships transit through the Panama Canal near Panama City, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. The Panama Canal is taking reservations for ships to transit its new locks starting June 27, the day after the inauguration of a $5.25 billion project to double the waterway's capacity.
Panama Canal Expansion
This aerial photo shows a view of the Panama Canal's Gatun locks, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. The first commercial slot in the new locks went to a Japanese vessel carrying liquefied natural gas. Gas shipping between Asia and the United States is one of the new businesses that canal authorities are targeting with the expansion.
Panama Canal Expansion
This aerial view shows the new Panama Canal expansion project on the Atlantic side near the Gatun locks, in Panama, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. The Panama Canal Authority said it processed 25 slots in the first hours since reservations opened. Four per day are reserved for super-large "New Panamax" vessels, as are the usual 25 a day for "Panamax" ships that pass through the old locks.
Panama Canal Expansion
An aerial view of the new Panama Canal expansion project on the Atlantic side near the Gatun locks, Gatun, Panama, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Originally scheduled to be concluded in October 2014, the newly expanded Panama Canal will be inaugurated on June 26. Canal administrator Jorge Luis Quijano said officials were pleased with the initial response and hope more and more ships will pass through the canal.
Panama Canal Expansion
A cargo ship sails near the new Panama Canal expansion project on the Pacific side, near Panama City, Wednesday, May 11, 2016.
Panama Canal Expansion
A cargo ship transits through the Panama Canal near Panama City, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. (Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
Panama Canal Expansion
A cargo ship sails near the new Panama Canal expansion project on the Pacific side, near Panama City, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
Panama Canal Expansion
A cargo ship sails near the new Panama Canal expansion project on the Pacific side, near Panama City, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Originally scheduled to be concluded in October 2014, the newly expanded Panama Canal will be inaugurated on June 26. The canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, underwent an extensive renovation to allow modern, larger cargo ships through its locks. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)