Panamax

Definitions #

The maximum size of a ship that can transit the Panama Canal' s lock chambers, about 294.1 meters in length and 32.3 meters in beam.

Technical A vessel size class constrained by the original Panama Canal locks, with maximum LOA 294.1 m, beam 32.3 m, draft 12.0 m, and air draft 57.9 m.

Example The panamax vessel can just pass through the old locks with zero clearance margins.

Etymology #

Coined from Pan- (for Panama) plus max (maximum); initially based on the canal's lock dimensions, giving the maximum ship size.

Collocations #

panamax vessel 巴拿马型船
panamax dimension 巴拿马型尺寸限制
panamax port 泊位能接巴拿马型船的港口

Real Business Examples #

The panamax vessel transited the canal at a record time of 10 hours.
The port has only one berth capable of accommodating panamax vessels.

Register & Variants #

Register: neutral
BrE/AmE: 全球通用，尤其是航运业界与港口规划

Synonyms & Antonyms #

Antonyms: post-panamax

Common Errors #

误以为 panamax 指所有能过巴拿马运河的船 New Panamax 更宽大；panamax 特指适应旧船闸的最大尺寸。
混淆 panamax 与 capesize Capesize 指无法过苏伊士或巴拿马运河需绕好望角的更大船，panamax 较小。

Confusable Terms #

Neo-panamax vs Panamax: 2020 年后新船闸可容更宽更长船，Neo-panamax 约 366米长、49米宽。

Frequently Asked Questions

现在还有 panamax 船吗？?

很多旧船仍适航，但新建船多为 neo-panamax，以利用新船闸载货效益。

Panamax 港口的定义是什么？?

港口水深和岸桩长度能安全泊靠 294.1米长船即可称 panamax，但具体因潮汐与系缆设施而异。

Published: 2026-10-04 Category: Shipping