A Study on the North America Route after expansion of the Panama Canal

摘要

In recent year, with the development of container transportation, Panama Canal js throughput has 17% increasing every year. And 4% of the world trade volume is using the Panama Canal. The limit size of container ship to pass through the Panama Canal is 4500TEU, and cargo volume close to the limit. Change large type of ship or increase the number of ship has been very difficult. After expansion plan which approved in 2006 complete, not only increase the capacity, also the large ship become possible. Under changes in the external environment, when shipping company decide the fleet, will consider the large ship and more ships. This research will support the management of shipping company, help shipping company decide the type of ship, number of ship when make the navigation plan. Besides, for the increasing of canal cost, clarify the relationship between canal cost change and shipping company cost, so that shipping company can make the easy decision.