Panama Canal receives two of 14 new tugboats, locomotives role to end
THE Panama Canal Authority has taken delivery of the first two of 14 tugs to strengthen the canal's capacity for the operation of the Third Set of Locks, thereby offering more efficient service.
The tugboats will be used to assist postpanamax vessels that will be transiting the expanded canal, and it will mean locomotives will no longer be needed at the existing locks.
All 14 tractor tugs on order are scheduled to arrive within 12 months from Spanish ship-building company Astilleros Armon, which was awarded the contract in September 2011.
"They will help us prepare to face the challenge of operating the new set of locks with the same efficiency," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quiijano.
In 2001, the waterway had 20 tugs, but the fleet has risen to 39 since. Some tugs will reach the end of their lifespan and be retired towards the end of next year when there will be 44 operational tugs.
THE Panama Canal Authority has taken delivery of the first two of 14 tugs to strengthen the canal's capacity for the operation of the Third Set of Locks, thereby offering more efficient service.
The tugboats will be used to assist postpanamax vessels that will be transiting the expanded canal, and it will mean locomotives will no longer be needed at the existing locks.
All 14 tractor tugs on order are scheduled to arrive within 12 months from Spanish ship-building company Astilleros Armon, which was awarded the contract in September 2011.
"They will help us prepare to face the challenge of operating the new set of locks with the same efficiency," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quiijano.
In 2001, the waterway had 20 tugs, but the fleet has risen to 39 since. Some tugs will reach the end of their lifespan and be retired towards the end of next year when there will be 44 operational tugs.