Panama Canal expansion hits new milestone with Culebra Cut dredging
THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced the completion of the dredging works to deepen and widen the navigational channels along Culebra Cut as part of the expansion programme.
The dredging works started in March 2008 with drilling by Panama Canal personnel on board the drill barge Baru, using ACP and contracted equipment from Belgium and The Netherlands. A total of 3.2 million cubic metres were removed during the deepening.
"This important achievement fills with pride each man and woman that works within the organisation," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano. "Gradually, we are completing all the projects that make up the Expansion Programme."
Culebra Cut is a tricky point of access due to being the narrowest part of the canal's navigational channel and the type of material encountered, an ACP statement said.
A week earlier, the Expansion Programme made another significant achievement when the first million cubic metres of concrete were poured in the locks construction site on the Atlantic side. This represents 1,800 cubic metres of reinforced concrete poured in the wall of the southeast wing, at the point where the vessels will enter the locks from Gatun Lake.
THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced the completion of the dredging works to deepen and widen the navigational channels along Culebra Cut as part of the expansion programme.
The dredging works started in March 2008 with drilling by Panama Canal personnel on board the drill barge Baru, using ACP and contracted equipment from Belgium and The Netherlands. A total of 3.2 million cubic metres were removed during the deepening.
"This important achievement fills with pride each man and woman that works within the organisation," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano. "Gradually, we are completing all the projects that make up the Expansion Programme."
Culebra Cut is a tricky point of access due to being the narrowest part of the canal's navigational channel and the type of material encountered, an ACP statement said.
A week earlier, the Expansion Programme made another significant achievement when the first million cubic metres of concrete were poured in the locks construction site on the Atlantic side. This represents 1,800 cubic metres of reinforced concrete poured in the wall of the southeast wing, at the point where the vessels will enter the locks from Gatun Lake.