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Corinth Canal Transit Guide: Requirements & Agents

The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth to link the Gulf of Corinth (Ionian Sea) with the Saronic Gulf (Aegean Sea), saving vessels the long passage around the Peloponnese. It's a narrow, dramatic waterway — and a specialized transit that's almost always arranged through a local agent.

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2026 reopening and 24/7 operation

After an extended closure for stabilization and upgrade works, the Corinth Canal is scheduled to reopen the week commencing Monday, 29 June 2026. As part of the upgrade to international operating standards, the Canal is moving to continuous operation — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Confirm the current operating status with your agent before fixing a schedule, as reopening timelines can shift.

Vessel size limits

The Corinth Canal is one of the most dimension-constrained waterways in commercial use:

• Max beam: 18.3 m (vessels over 18.3 m beam may transit on application)
• Max draft: 7.2 m
• Navigable channel width: ~24.6 m at sea level, 21.0 m at the bottom
• Channel depth: ~8.0 m from mean low water

Bridge clearances and speed

• Headroom below the rail bridge: 58.8 m
• Headroom below the road bridge: 54 m
• Maximum speed in the Canal: 6 knots

These air-draft and speed limits, combined with the narrow channel, make the Corinth a carefully managed passage rather than a free transit.

How a transit is arranged

Corinth transits are booked through a local shipping or yachting agent, who handles the application (including any over-beam approval), schedules the passage with the Canal operator, arranges any required assistance, and settles the transit fee. For vessels near the beam limit, the "transit on application" route makes agent involvement effectively mandatory.

Commercial vessels and yachts

The Corinth serves both commercial vessels and a significant yachting segment. Many Greek agents offer both, with yacht transits often bundling crew, provisioning, and berthing services alongside the Canal booking.

Find a Corinth Canal transit agent on CanalAgent.com. Browse Corinth Canal agents →

Sources

• Corinth Canal SA — Specifications and Reopening Update press releases (corinthcanal.com)
• Corinth Canal navigational dimensions and bridge clearance data
• Acquera Yachting — Corinth Canal Closure / Reopening Update

Information and referral only — not legal or operational advice. The 2026 reopening date and operating status may change; verify with the Corinth Canal operator or a licensed agent before acting.