panamax is being redefined. transiting the panama canal is performed by a canal master. the panamax ships that make their way through need canal pilots to manage the ships operation through the canal, particularly to get them through the locks themselves. panamax refers to the maximum dimensions (width and length) that a ship may be in order to fit through the panama canal. but shipping companies need bigger, faster, stronger - and so the canal needs to be widened to allow these 'new panamax' to pass through. panamax - 33 metres wide. new panamax - 54 metres wide. what will be the new limiting factor? height - the height of the bridge at the pacific entrance - the bridge of the americas.
