Panama’s New Canal Expansion opening in 2016!

Panama’s New Canal Expansion opening in 2016!

http://www.unitedequipmentsales.com/ConstructionNewsBlog/panamas-new-canal-expansion-opening-in-2016/

Originally built in 1914, the Panama Canal has been working at full capacity for years and was plagued by congestion due to an ever growing international trade. The size of ships having also increased over decades (from Panamax to Post-Panamax ships), the creation of a larger third set of locks was the agreed long-term solution. The idea isn’t new since the US started the construction in 1939 but came to a grinding stop in 1942 when it joined the allied forces in WWII. It is now almost completed, but it wasn’t done overnight!

PROJECT GOALS

• Create 2 new lanes and increase by 1 ½ the maximum width and length of the channels to accommodate Post-Panamax ships. These lanes will be able to carry twice as much cargo and a result double the current canal’s capacity by 2016. In addition to increasing capacity, the third set of locks will also improve productivity, efficiency and safety. It will eliminate the congestion that occurs every year during the high season between December and March that can cause up to a week in delay.
  
• Raising 1.5 feet the maximum operational level of the Gatun lake and widening the navigational channel will also increase the water reserve capacity, the quantity of water used by the locks without impacting the supply of water for human consumption.

A GREENER DESIGN

The new channels will each havethree chambers and water saving basins. The third lock in each channel will bere-utilizing 60% of the water thus using 70% less water per transit/lock cyclescompared to existing locks. The basins will be filled by gravity (without waterpumps) like their older counterparts.