Arose because of the need for a third set of excuses.

As explained in the expansion project, from the 30s of last century all studies for the expansion of the Canal have agreed that the most effective and efficient channel to provide the increased capacity is to build a third set of locks, of larger dimensions than those built in 1914.

The Canal expansion is the result of a long process of maturation technique. Since 1998, the Canal administration initiated a program of studies and research to identify the future needs of the pathway from a long-term.

These studies, which originally included only water investigations, were increased from 2000 to encompass a wide range of social, environmental, market, competition, engineering, operational, financial, economic and legal.

This extensive and comprehensive research program, unprecedented in the history of the Canal, determined that there is a growing demand for shipping in the Panama route.Also determined that much of this growing demand used on routes that compete with the canal, ships are to large to fit through it.

Consequently, this program of study highlights the need to provide the additional capacity Canal to handle increasing volumes of cargo that is anticipated will use the sea route through Panama and allow the transit of larger ships, and so take the benefit of Panama economies of scale, increased productivity and efficiencies generated by the operation of such ships.

The most suitable, cost effective and environmentally responsible to take the opportunity of growth for the Panama route and increase the productivity of the canal is, as explained in the project, the construction of the third set of locks, larger than the existing , integrated navigation channels required for transit of larger vessels