maritime

Canal gets overhaul

A modernization program will allow the canal to meet demand until 2014, when the expansion is to be complete.

courtesy of ACP

turntables:A crane works on the upgrades to the Gatun locks.950260

Despite the Panama Canal Authority´s (ACP) focus on the canal expansion, it is also ensuring that other projects are being completed on schedule in order to keep the waterway operating at close to maximum capacity.

The projects include the rehabilitation of the railway, the construction of a mooring station north of the Pedro Miguel locks, and dredging in the Culebra area. The cost of the projects totals $290 million.

According to analysts, the canal is currently operating at 93 percent of its maximum capacity. The modernization program will allow the canal to meet demand until 2014, when the expansion is expected to be completed.

The railway rehabilitation is almost done, but officials still need to put the final touches on the project, which included changing more than 50,000 feet of tracks.

During the rail rehabilitation, two new turntables in the Gatún locks were installed. The turntables allow locomotives that assist the ships to turn around much more quickly to attend to the next vessel, allowing them to transit the locks more efficiently.

The mooring station project in Cartagena is about 67 percent complete, officials said. The scope of the project has increased since it began, as more area than expected needed to be dredged. The project is intended for ships too large to transit the canal and will allow up to two cargo ships to offload shipments.

Work on the Culebra dredging project is about 70 percent complete.

Currently, the dredger Principe is working in Cascada. It is expected to remove about 12 million cubic meters of material by December 2008.

The ACP expects to announce the winning bid for the 3rd lock project next December. Four consortiums consisting of 30 companies are competing for the $250 million project.