Navigable canals are specially built waterways that connect seas, lakes, and rivers. These seawater routes enable easier transportation of marine vessels, especially cargo vessels. If you’re thinking about expanding your maritime business and purchasing RoPAX vessels for sale, it is better for you to learn more about these shipping canals. From the perspective of global maritime trade, these canals are of great importance as they offer shorter navigation routes and help manage the maritime traffic internally within countries.
In this blog, we take a look at some of the most important navigable canals across the globe listed below.
1. Panama Canal
Connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal is undoubtedly among the most important maritime routes in the world. The canal was opened in 1914 and is currently under the governance of the Panama Canal Authority under the Panamanian government. There are lock gates on the canal on both sides that enable ships to go higher or lower to sea level. Marine vessels traveling between the east coast and west coast of the USA can shorten their route by 15,000 km by using the Panama Canal.
2. Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal
The oldest and longest canal in the world, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is in China. It passes through several provinces and connects the Yellow River to the Yangtze River. It is a key waterway for cargo transportation, joining the northern and southern regions of China. It is vital for the country’s economy. Constructed in 468 BC, the Grand Canal is also a World Heritage Site of the UNESCO.
3. Suez Canal
This is one of the most important maritime routes in the world. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It shortens the navigation distance by 7,000 km for cargo ships traveling between the Indian and the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to the steady traffic of marine vessels experienced by the waterway, Suez Canal saw an enlargement in 2104 and a side channel was started in 2016. Located in Egypt, the canal starts from Port Said in the north and extends up to Port Tevfik in Suez in the south.
4. Rhine-Main-Danube Canal
As suggested by its name, this canal connects Rhine River, Main River, and Danube River – all flowing through Western Europe. It is a key maritime route that joins Black Sea with North Sea going through the Atlantic Ocean. There is a total of 16 locks in the canal, out of which 11 can be found in the Rhine basin and the remaining locks are located in the Danube. The canal can accommodate barges for bulk cargo transportation up to a capacity of 2,500 tons.
5. Volga-Don Canal
Joining the maritime routes of Eastern and Western Europe, the Volga-Don canal connects the two rivers Volga and Don in Russia. The waterway has nine locks on the Volga slope that are used to lift ships and four locks on the Don slope which are used to lower ships. The canal also passes through three reservoirs in Karpovka, Varvarovka, and Bereslavka.
Conclusion
If you have been thinking about expanding your shipping business, it will serve you better to know about these important navigable canals from around the world. To find the best RoPAX vessels for sale available in the market, get in touch with Norwegian Ship Sales.
