Panama Canal expansion half done, on schedule, to be completed Q3 2014

THE Panama Canal expansion project is estimated to be 44.5 per cent complete since the ground breaking at Paraiso Hill five years ago.

"The Panama Canal Expansion Programme is moving forward at a good pace. The programme has made positive contributions to Panama's economy such as direct employment, investments, knowledge and technological transfer," said Panama Canal Administrator/CEO Jorge Quijano in a statement.

To date, three of the four dry excavation projects have been completed and the fourth project is 67 per cent completed. The dredging of the Pacific and Atlantic entrances and of the Gatun Lake are advancing as scheduled with progress reaching 92 per cent, 98 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

One third of the locks design and construction has been finished. The lock gates are being fabricated in Italy and the first four gates are expected to be shipped to Panama during the first quarter of 2013. The last four gates are scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2014.

Concurrently, the valves are being fabricated in South Korea and delivery of valve components to Panama has been on going and is being incorporated into the lock structure. The contractor is expected to complete the main lock structure and begin pre-commissioning tests in the dry during the first quarter of 2014, with flooding of the locks and final commissioning planned to start in September 2014.

The Panama Canal Authority said it is closely monitoring progress on every component of the expansion programme to guarantee that contractors comply with the quality required by each contract.