The South Pacific Sea Route

This sea route connects Western Europe and North America with Australia, New Zealand, and the scattered islands of the Pacific Ocean. The key link that makes this route viable is the Panama Canal — without it, ships would have to go around the tip of South America, adding thousands of kilometres to the journey.

The route is not limited to just Australia and New Zealand. It is also used to reach Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This makes it a vital corridor for trade and passenger movement across the southern Pacific.

The distance between Panama and Sydney is 12,000 km. That is a long haul, and it means ships need refuelling and resupply points along the way. Honolulu, in Hawaii, serves as an important port on this route. It acts as a mid-way stop for vessels crossing the vast Pacific. …