Final shipment of new gates for Canal expansion arrives in Panama
The Panama Canal Expansion reached today another major milestone with the arrival of the final shipment of gates for the new locks, Panama Canal Authority said in its press release.
"This is a major milestone for the Panama Canal Expansion since we now have all 16 rolling gates in Panama to be installed in the new locks," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. "With this Expansion, the Panama Canal will remain competitive, opening new markets and possibilities for international trade through the waterway."
The final shipment included two gates to be used in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific.
The two gates to be installed in the Pacific locks are the tallest of all 16, standing 33 meters in height and weighing 4,232 tons. These gates will be used in lock head four facing the Pacific Ocean.
The two gates to be installed in the Atlantic locks are 10 meters wide, 29 meters in height and weigh 3,319 tons.
All gates have the same length of 57.6 meters but vary in height, width and weight depending on their location in the locks. The height of the tallest gate can be compared to an 11-story building.
The construction of the gates began in October 2011 by subcontractor Cimolai SpA in Italy. The new locks will have a total of 16 rolling gates (eight for each new lock complex).
The gates belonging to the Pacific have been transiting one by one through the current waterway on board a barge assisted by two Panama Canal tugboats. Currently, four of the eight gates have already been transferred to the construction site in the Pacific.
About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors.
