The Panama Canal was constructed in the beginning of the XX century, connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Oceans. The first journey through was conducted in 1914. Although it is not an easy one, roughly 14,000 ships yearly transit through the canal today.
If you have chosen to transit your own private yacht through the Panama Canal, there are some important things not to be neglected before embarking on the journey. The most significant matters shall become time and expenses, as traveling through a system of locks might come out really time-consuming, expensive and stressful. Still, the transition might become a unique adventure and even the most epic story to be told for the rest of your life. Here are some details to think over, before you decide upon a journey.
In terms of time limits, the journey through Panama Canal solely might last up to eight to nine hours. An intricate system of locks should be passed on your way through, guiding your private sailboat from one ocean to another.
Prior to that, there is obligatory paperwork to be done, along with the vessel screening (to make sure your boat complies with size regulations etc.). That is why you have to consider in advance the time your boat will be docked at either the Pacific side marina or Caribbean side marina to await your turn before transit. Average waiting time varies, but be prepared that it normally takes several days at least.
As to the paperwork, The Panama Canal Authorities demand an advance notification of 96 hours to accommodate the arrival for vessels desiring to transit the Panama Canal. If you are planning on transiting the canal without hiring an agent, you will need to call to the Admeasurer’s office (English is spoken by all canal officials) to arrange a time and location for your boat’s measurement. You have to go through measurement and payment first, before entering the ACP system to get a transit date assigned, as it cannot be reserved in advance.
If dealing with documentation yourself, you need to fill in a form stating where you are and when you would like to get measured. Then, an official Ad measurer will come out, to measure your yacht according to canal regulations. Once the process is completed, you will receive a form to be proceeded to a bank for an official deposit. Once you are measured and your money is deposited, you will call the official schedulers office and make an appointment for transit. Again, be prepared that paperwork might take from three to seven days.
Money wise, the price to pay for closing the Canal naturally varies depending on the size of your yacht. For small vessels of up to 15 metres LOA, the price makes around $1,875; for larger ones of up to 30 metres LOA it makes around $ 4,275, etc. Furthermore, you should consider extra transit fees including long lines, car tires and making sure you have line handlers on board.
Finally, depending on your appointment time and your port of entry you can expect to depart in the afternoon, around 1pm or 2pm. You will be assigned an official advisor from the Panama Authority to join you on-board, provided everything is going as planned. Thus, you need to provide hot meal and drinking water for your advisor. He or she will serve as your sailing mentor, attempting to get you through the canal as quickly and efficiently as possible. Still, you might end up having to stay the night for some unforeseen reason. In that case, expect to pay up to $500 dollars extra to dock.
On your journey, You will go through a series of locks (12 in total) composing is a system of levels that lift a ship up 85 feet to the main elevation of the Panama Canal and back down. Each lock is around 300-metre long and can be filled and emptied in 10 minutes. Once you have transited through all of them, you can continue on to either the Pacific or Caribbean side ocean.
All in all, if you decide to cross a Chanel on a private vessel, below are some tips for a smoother canal transit (Yachting World):
• Start researching information in advance, at least 3 months ahead, for comfortable preparation.
•It is better to keep the yacht’s decks clear. Move or stow items to keep the area around bow and stern cleats as clear as possible.
• Ensure all fairleads are fair to start. Re-leading takes time you may not have if currents start spinning the raft.
• Stern lines took the most load. Consider running them to a cockpit winch with the stern cleat as a guide to provide better control and mechanical advantage.
• Prep line handlers well. Hold a crew meeting. Make sure they understand how critical it is to be alert: they should not expect to use a GoPro or post on social media during transit.
• Repeat instructions from the adviser. It confirms you have heard and are responding to the action called for. It may serve to clarify the adviser’s intentions when issuing rapid instructions.
• Engage your adviser. Talk through manoeuvres in advance, asking for clarification on next steps and understanding actions they will want you to take before they need to happen.
The 70-meter sailing superyacht SY Zero, the world’s first designed to operate entirely without fossil fuels, is approaching the final stages of construction, with an expected launch by the end of 2025. The project, a collaboration between Vripack Yacht Design, Vitters Shipyard, and Dykstra Naval Architects, represents a significant step in sustainable yacht development, backed by over 60,000 hours of research and innovation.SY Zero is engineered to rely solely on wind, solar, and thermal energy while maintaining the performance and luxury standards of a traditional superyacht. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of eliminating fossil fuel dependency in high-end yachting. All technical data, system designs, and research findings will be made publicly available through FoundationZero.org, providing open access to sustainable maritime innovations for designers, engineers, and researchers.The yacht’s energy system is entirely electric, powered by a five-megawatt-hour battery storage system—equivalent to the capacity of 88 Tesla vehicles. Renewable energy is harvested through multiple methods: hydro-generating thrusters capture energy from water flow while under sail, a 100-square-meter hybrid solar panel array converts both light and heat at 60% efficiency, and a wind turbine supplements power generation using offshore airflow.Marnix Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack, stated: “This project has always been about showing what’s possible. We wanted to demonstrate that comfort, design, and performance can coexist with fossil-free operation. The project has been driven by data, testing, and a long-term commitment to sustainable naval design. Our goal wasn’t just to prove that a fossil-free superyacht is viable—it was to create a real-world model others can learn from.”Vitters Shipyard, known for high-performance sailing yachts, led the construction. Louis Hamming from Vitters commented: “From the outset, this has been about building a yacht that reflects a future we all recognize is coming. It’s a privilege to help bring that future into reality.”The interior accommodates up to 12 guests, featuring sustainable materials such as pine-based leather and leathered marble, which retains natural imperfections. Each cabin draws inspiration from a global destination, with bespoke artworks crafted by local artisans.Following its technical launch, SY Zero will undergo extensive sea trials to test its advanced systems, including proprietary software managing onboard operations. Delivery is expected in 2026, seven years after the project’s inception.Eduard van Benthem, Executive Director at Foundation Zero, emphasized the broader mission: “The project isn’t about showing how good we are, nor even specifically about the yacht itself. We are really trying to showcase how we can do things better and inspire others to join us on the journey, to learn together and to share the knowledge, which is the fundamental aim of Foundation Zero in all its projects.”Beyond private use and limited charter opportunities, SY Zero will serve as a research platform for marine renewable energy and ocean sustainability studies, furthering its role in advancing eco-conscious yachting.Vitters Shipyard is a Dutch high-end performance yacht builder. The shipyard was founded in 1990 by Jan Vitters. The company delivered the first luxury sailing boat, the 28m Aphrodite, in 1993. Vitters Shipyard has a crew of dedicated engineers and craftspeople who have a strong eye for detail and the passion to exceed the expectations of its yacht owners.Credits: Vripack
July 17, 2025
GX Superyachts has provided a progress update on its 42-meter flagship model, the GX42, currently under construction at SES Yachts' facility in Istanbul. The project remains on schedule for delivery in summer 2026, with several major construction phases now completed.The aluminum hull and superstructure are fully assembled, marking the transition to the outfitting stage. Thermal insulation and main piping systems are 80% installed, while electrical work has reached 25% completion. Approximately half of the paintwork has been applied.The hybrid propulsion system, combining diesel-electric drive with solar power generation, has passed factory testing and is ready for installation. Interior furniture, designed by Marco Casali, is 50% complete in workshop production.Vladimir Zinchenko, founder and CEO of GX Superyachts, stated: "It's inspiring to witness the GX42 taking shape so smoothly. Each milestone reinforces our belief that the GX42 will set a new benchmark in responsible yachting — a vessel that delivers both elegant design and low-impact cruising. Thanks to our partners at SES Yachts, Andrea Armas, Marco Casali and Francesco Rogantin, the project is running smoothly and exceeding expectations."The interior design emphasizes family-friendly spaces with a raised pilothouse layout that includes a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP cabin. Natural materials and subdued color schemes reflect the yacht's focus on sustainable luxury.Upcoming work includes finalizing insulation and piping systems, progressing electrical installations, and integrating the hybrid propulsion package. Sea trials are planned for early 2026.Andrea Armas, consultant to GX Superyachts' Board of Directors, noted: "We are pushing the boundary of responsible yachting navigating through a new era of technological advancement, tailoring the dream of Yacht owners into a sustainable reality."Credits: GX Superyachts
July 17, 2025
Camper & Nicholsons has confirmed the sale of the 50.58m schooner Borkumriff IV, built by Royal Huisman in 2002. The sale was managed by Senior Sales Broker Arne Ploch. The yacht accommodates six guests in three cabins and has space for nine crew members.Inspired by traditional Newfoundland schooners, Borkumriff IV has a total length of 50.58 meters, including the bowsprit, and a sail area of 1,164 sq. m. The exterior was designed by John G. Alden’s office, with naval architecture by Dykstra. The interior, crafted by John Munford, features mahogany wood paneling and custom furniture, contrasting with lighter ceilings and floors.The yacht includes a main deck saloon and dining area, with accommodation on the lower deck. The full-beam master suite has a separate study, while two twin guest cabins are located midship. All cabins are en suite. Crew quarters are spacious, with a large galley.Borkumriff IV carries two tenders on its teak decks and features two cannons, used for ceremonial flag-lowering at sunset.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive
July 17, 2025
Turkish builder ART Shipyard, part of Besiktas Group, will unveil its first superyacht – the 35-meter Bee Explorer – at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 9-14. The steel-hulled explorer with aluminum superstructure was designed by Hydro Tec to stay under 300GT while offering a 4,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. Ocean Independence serves as worldwide central agent for the €15.25 million vessel, which is available for immediate delivery.Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec explained the design rationale: "The 7.7-meter beam provides additional fuel capacity without significant efficiency loss, allowing owners to take advantage of regional fuel price variations." The naval architecture prioritizes seakeeping and fuel economy, with computational fluid dynamics used to optimize the hull form.Michele Dragoni's interior design blends explorer yacht robustness with contemporary styling. Horizontal dark lacquer frames contrast with bleached oak paneling in the main saloon, while curved bulkheads and strategic window placement maximize natural light. The upper lounge features a ceiling-mounted TV lift and lowered cabinetry to create a more relaxed atmosphere.Measuring 35 meters LOA with 2.2-meter draft, the Bee Explorer will be displayed in Port Canto during the festival. The yacht represents ART Shipyard's entry into the competitive sub-40-meter explorer market, leveraging Besiktas Group's commercial shipbuilding experience. The Cannes presentation follows successful sea trials in Turkish waters. Prospective owners can inspect the yacht throughout the six-day show before its scheduled autumn handover to its first owner. Credits: Ocean Independence
July 16, 2025
Italian shipyard Tankoa Yachts has strengthened its leadership team with two strategic appointments as part of its expansion strategy. Isabella Picco joins as Head of Marketing & Communication, bringing extensive experience in the luxury yachting sector. "I look forward to helping guide the shipyard while maintaining its core values," Picco stated.Isabella PiccoGuido Orsi, a long-standing executive at Tankoa since its founding, has been promoted to Vice President. In his new role, Orsi will oversee sustainability initiatives, technological development, and international growth. "Tankoa combines tradition, innovation and family values," Orsi commented regarding his appointment.Guido OrsiThe Genoa-based shipyard, specializing in custom superyacht construction between 50-80 meters, continues to expand its production facilities and workforce. These leadership changes follow Tankoa's recent delivery of the 50-meter Bintador and ongoing construction of multiple projects at its Genoa shipyard.No specific details were provided regarding new projects or production site expansions mentioned in the broader growth plan. Tankoa currently has three superyachts under construction, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. The shipyard maintains its focus on semi-custom and full-custom builds, competing in the 500-1,500GT market segment.Tankoa was founded in 2007 and began production in 2008. A true “boutique shipyard”, focused on building semi-custom and custom constructions 45-meter and up.Credits: Tankoa
July 16, 2025