Since 1995 container traffic has increased, on average, 5.2% more per year than world GDP.

FORBES: Magazine Article

In the five months to May, container traffic in Shenzhen was 43% up on the year before.

ECONOMIST: On a roll

Container traffic provides a window on trade patterns and the state of the global economy because it is the most closely tied to consumer demand.

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This matters: in 2002, container traffic became the canal's largest user.

ECONOMIST: Expansion plans hit political problems

Though other ports may also be offered to private operators, the big battle is over Callao, the port for Lima, which handles nearly 90% of the country's container traffic.

ECONOMIST: A fight over privatisation

The growth in container traffic in the 1990s powered America's booming economy as retailers such as Wal-Mart bought goods from China and manufacturers such as Dell sourced parts from Asia for assembly in America.

ECONOMIST: Can America keep the goods flowing to Wal-Mart?