PANAMA CITY, Panama, September 24, 2007 – Locomotives play a pivotal role in the operation of the Panama Canal locks. Last week, at a ceremony at Gatun Locks, the Canal marked the completion of its project to replace all of the towing tracks on which the locomotives travel. The Panama Canal’s locomotive tow tracks run parallel to each side of the Canal’s lock chambers. The tow tracks enable locomotive units or “mules” as they are called, to move alongside transiting vessels, affixed by wire cables, to maintain a ship’s position during passage through Canal locks. Replacing the tracks, therefore, will increase the efficiency of transits at the Canal. (more)
By Gail Dutton for World Trade Magazine - The Panama Canal Authority is experiencing every company’s dream—a steady influx of business with more than it can handle in the wings. Fueled by the rapid growth of Asian exports, the canal has to expand to remain viable. And when it does, it will ensure that the fleet of post-Panamax (PPX) ships, which grew 143 percent since 2002, can finally transit the canal—raising the threshold of trans-Pacific trade up a magnitude. Today, ships carrying more than 4,000 TEUs generally are too big for the Canal’s existing locks. In planning a new lane, with longer and wider locks and deeper channels, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) expects to double cargo transiting capacity. With that capacity, say industry observers, should come reduced overall shipping costs and expanded shipping options after the new lane opens in 2014, in time for the canal’s centennial. (more)
Canal Expansion (Source) Oct 19 - Panamanians vote in a referendum on Sunday on whether to approve an ambitious $5.25-billion plan to expand the famous Panama Canal waterway to allow it to handle larger cargo ships. Here are some facts about the canal.