In 2007, the Panama Canal (ACP) started working on a 5.25 billion USD expansion project in Panama that will impact the world as a whole. This expansion will drastically revolutionize the world's trade patterns which will allow for new opportunities to be gained. The Panama Canal will be equipped to handle New Panamax sized vessels with cargo capacity of over 13,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit); while todays Panamax vessels have a cargo capacity of up to 5,000 TEU. The new locks will reduce the locking time which will reduce congestion over water. This cross water channel is expected to double tonnage capacity of the Panama Canal. Although there was a sudden halt of the project this year, the expansion is back in order.