The Panamá Canal is a  ship canal in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. There are locks at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal,  above sea level. The current locks are wide. A third, wider lane of locks is currently under construction and is due to open in 2016.