Fact of the Panama Expansion Project

For the construction of the new locks, the following materials will be needed:

CEMENT: One millions tons

SAND: 1.1 millions cubic meters

CONCRETE: 4.4 millions cubic meters

AGGREGATE: 2.4 millions cubic meters of thick aggregate

The Project

The Panama Canal expansion is one the largest and most ambitious projects in the region. In the last four years demand for Post Panamax vessels (the ones that are too large to pass through the existing locks) has increased significantly due to efficiencies gained with containerized cargo (50 percent of ships currently being ordered by the largest shipping lines are post-panamax).

The cost of the project is estimated at $5,250 million. This project will entail tremendous commercial opportunities for U.S. firms, including maritime equipment; construction equipment; heavy machinery; dredging equipment and services; and engineering and architectural services.

On October 22, 2006, the people of Panama overwhelmingly approved the expansion of the Panama Canal.

For more information, please click here or contact:

Robert O. Jones, Senior Commercial Officer
U.S. Embassy Panama
robert.o.jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Todd Fox, Regional Manager for the Western Hemisphere, Advocacy Center
todd.fox@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Miguel Romano, U.S. Business Advisor, Inter-American Development Bank
mromano@N0SPAM.iadb.org

Matt Gaisford, Panama Desk Officer, ITA/MAC/Office of Latin America and Caribbean matt.gaisford@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Danielle Caltabiano, International Trade Specialist, Team Americas, North Texas USEAC danielle.caltabiano@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov