Friday, March 8, 2013

Top Story

Panama Canal milestone: Culebra Cut dredging project completed

The Panama Canal Authority has reached another milestone in its expansion—the deepening and widening of the Culebra Cut channels, begun in 2008, is now complete.

"This important achievement fills with pride each man and woman that works within the organization," said Jorge L. Quijano, administrator of the Panama Canal. "Gradually, we are completing all the projects that make up the Expansion Program."

A total of 3.2 million cubic meters were removed during the deepening of Culebra Cut. The Cut was hard to access for dredging because of the type of material removed and because it is the narrowest section of the Panama Canal navigational channel.

ACP equipment was used, including the dredges Mindi, Rialto M. Christensen and Quibian I, and the drill barges Thor and Baru.
Additional contract equipment was also utilized in the project, including the dredge II Principe, owned by Jan de Nul Group, and the dredge Cornelius, owned by Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.

Last week the expansion reached another milestone when the first million cubic meters of concrete were poured into the locks construction site on the Atlantic side. This represents 1,800 cubic meters of reinforced concrete poured in the wall of the southeast wing, right at the location where ships will enter the locks from Gatun Lake.

More Techwire stories

Three new quay cranes delivered to London Gateway port

Railyard EIR approved by Port of L.A. despite protests from residents, environmentalists

Google laying off 1,200 Motorola workers

Bay Bridge sports high tech dazzle for 75th anniversary

Click to browse past stories on these topics:

Logistics

Ports & Infrastructure

Economic Outlook

Environmental Impact

Technology