Panama Tourism and Travel: Panama Canal Tolls and Transits: Frequently Asked Questions

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How many times have the tolls been increased?

As of October 1, 2009, there have been 10 toll increases:

July 8, 1974 - 19.7%
November 18, 1976 - 19.5%
October 1, 1979 - 29.3%
March 12, 1983 - 9.8%
October 1, 1989 - 9.8%
October 1, 1992 - 9.9%
January 1, 1997 - implementation in two (2) phases:
- January 1, 1997 - 8.2%
- January 1, 1998 - 7.5%
October 1, 2002 - implementation in two (2) phases:
- October 1, 2002 - 8%
- July 1, 2003 - 4.5%
May 1, 2005 - Adjustment per TEU with implementation in three (3) phases:
- May 1, 2005
- May 1, 2006 and
- May 1, 2007
July 1, 2007 - implementation in three (3) phases:
- July and October 1, 2007 - 5.7% average
- May and October 1, 2008 - 14.2% average
- May and October 1, 2009 -10.1% average

What is the lowest toll paid to date?

The lowest tolls to date were paid by Richard Halliburton, who swam the Panama Canal in 1928. Halliburton paid only 36 cents.

Which vessel made the fastest transit through the Panama Canal?

The fastest transit was made by the U.S. Navy hydrofoil Pegasus, which crossed the Canal from Miraflores to Gatun in 2 hours 41 minutes in June 1979.

How many vessels have transited the Canal since its inauguration?

At the end of fiscal year 2010, 1,001,037 vessels had used the waterway since its opening on August 15, 1914.,