Pacific Gate Installed at Panama Canal

Completion of the Panama Canal has now reached 85% after the first lock gate for the Pacific side was installed recently.

According to World Maritime News, the gate will be the first of eight to be installed in the new locks at the Pacific Ocean side of the waterway.

Panama Canal Administrator and CEO Jorge L. Quijano, said: “Today’s installation marks an important step towards the completion of the expansion program. This project will have an important impact on world maritime trade and will further position Panama as the logistic hub for the Americas.”

PTI previously reported that the first lock gate for the Panama Canal was installed on December 15, 2014, making it 83% completed.

The canal is expected to be fully completed by early 2016 when a total of eight gates on both the Pacific and Atlantic side have been implemented.

(Source: MWH Global)