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NoticiasPanama Canal Authority Issues Notice to CommenceThe Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reached a critical milestone for the Canal Expansion Program moving ahead on time and on budget. Culminating months of arduous work, the ACP received Grupo Unidos por el Canal's (GUPC) performance and payment bonds and signed the contract. Today, ACP Executive Manager and Locks Project Management Division and Contracting Officer Jorge de la Guardia issued the Notice to Commence work slated for August 25, 2009. The scope of work included in the contract encompasses the design and construction of the Canal's new set of locks and water-saving basins on both the Pacific and Atlantic ends of the Canal. More 95 Years of Safe, Reliable and Efficient Service: Panama Canal Celebrates Anniversary as Engine of World TradeTomorrow, the Panama Canal will celebrate 95 years of service as an engine of global trade and national growth. Since the steamship Ancón's inaugural Canal passage August 15, 1914, the waterway has offered safe, reliable and efficient service to more than 983,000 transits. The Canal will reach the significant mark of one million transits next year. More
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BoxesProfile PagesMain pages for:Quick LinksWebCams! These live cameras show operations at the Miraflores and Gatun Locks, as well as other points of interest in the Canal. Click on one of the links below to view webcam images.
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FAQ
- Since August 15, 1914, more than 960,000 ships have transited the Canal.
- As of June 5, 2009, the Panama Canal Authority has a workforce of 9,545 employees
- Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the
construction of a new set of locks which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships. - It takes a ship an average of 8-10 hours to transit through the Canal.
- Slated for completion in 2014, the Panama Canal Expansion is the waterway’s largest
undertaking since it was built in 1914. - A ship saves 7,860 nautical miles when traveling from New York to San Francisco
through the Canal instead of the Cape of Horn - As part of the Expansion Program, 46 million m3 will be excavated to
build the new Pacific Access Channel. - More than 700,000 trees have been planted in Canal watershed areas.
- The new locks will use 7% less water per lockage than the current locks.
- Up to February 2008, 138,562 students in Panama have established direct
contact with the Panama Canal - The Panama Canal Authority is responsible for providing potable water to the cities of Panama and Colon.
- Congratulations Panama!
Samoter Award 2008: World's Best Construction Project -- Panama Canal Expansion - “Best Long Term Performance Project” and “Strategic Project of the Year”
awards for the Panama Canal Expansion Program at the 6th Annual CG/LA Infrastructure Latin-American Forum
