It is one of the most famous canals in the world, a 77 km man made channel of water that connects the planet's two biggest oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Initially constructed by France before the project was completed by the United States, the Panama Canal opened on August 15<sup>th 1914 and now celebrates its 100<sup>th anniversary.
Around 14,000 ships cross the canal every year, carrying over 200 million tons of cargo, about five percent of the world's shipping.
Peter Hinchliffe, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, explains how the construction of the Panama Canal carved out a new era for global trade.
