With the inauguration for the Panama Canal Expansion project occurring at the end of June, 2016, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has set new draft restrictions for neo-Panamax vessels, with new restrictions set at 12.8 metres, according to gCaptain.
As a result of months of drought at the Panama Canal watershed, which has caused water levels of the Gatun Lake to fall, a new limit was set.
PTI previously reported that the Panama Canal’s draft restrictions were set at 11.89 metres in tropical fresh water.
However, the draft restrictions have changed as a result of the El Niño weather phenomenon that has lowered the canal's water levels.
Technical Paper: Panamax and Beyond: The Story of Ship Sizes
The testing phase for the water-saving basins of the Agura Clara Locks’ upper chamber had recently been carried out by filling the basins.
This led to a follow-up stating that a successful test had been completed on the third set of locks on the Panama Canal, with the GUPC Consortium completing a series of tests.
The canal’s May update video was released recently and showed that the construction of machinery rooms and control buildings is ongoing.
The entire expansion project is currently 98% completed, with workers successfully shifting 4.4 million cubic metres of dirt.
In case you missed it, watch the most recent update below:
(Source: Panama Canal / YouTube)
