Panama Canal Expansion

Panama Canal expansion passes half-way point

The Panama Canal expansion is the largest construction project in this hemisphere. When completed in 2014, it will change the dynamics of regional shipping as larger vessels, carrying greater volumes of cargo, transit the canal. These photographs, courtesy of the Panama authorities, hint at the scale of the project, which has already begun to stimulate the expansion and development of regional ports. 

(1) Construction of the new Borinquen 1E Dam. Located west of the existing Pedro Miguel locks, it will measure 2.3 km.

(2) The contractor for the Third Set of Locks reported a progress of 36 per cent by November 2012.

(3) The dredger Rialto M. Christensen at work in the Gatun Lake.

(4) The northern entrance to the new Pacific Access Channel was completed in October. Some 4 million cubic metres of material was excavated and dredged by the contractor.

(5) Civil works in progress for the Third Set of Locks project on the Atlantic side.

(6 & 7) Aerial view of the Third Set of Locks project on the Pacific side.

(8) The contractor is preparing for the arrival of the first post-.panamax gates in mid 2013. They will be shipped from Italy.

(9) By November 2012 the Expansion Programme reported a total progress of 49 per cent.