Explosions marks start of Panama Canal expansion

Explosions marks start of Panama Canal expansion A crowd of 30,000 on Monday observed the start of work on expansion of the Panama Canal.
   Officials marked start of the $5.25 billion project with speeches and by setting off explosive charges to begin the dry excavation project on Paraiso Hill for the channel that will access a new set of locks. The new Pacific Locks access channel will ultimately connect the Gaillard Cut to the new locks.
   The expansion will build a new lane for traffic across the Panama isthmus. The expansion will double capacity and new, larger locks will allow longer and wider ships to ply the waterway.
   “It’s a historic day. Expansion will have a significant role in world trade and the maritime industry, said Dani Ariel Kuzniecky, chairman of the canal authority’s board of directors and minister for canal affairs.
   “We have researched and planned this project for years; we have the approval of the Panamanian people. As we stand here today, our vision and perseverance have paid off. Now, it is time to execute. Now it is time to begin the expansion of the Panama Canal,” said Alberto Alem'n Zubieta, the canal’s administrator and chief executive officer.
   Among the guests on hand were former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who 30 years ago signed the treaty that provided for eventual transfer of the canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999.
   The larger locks in the new part of the canal will enable larger ships to cross the isthmus. For example, while the largest containerships that can use the canal today carry about 4,500-5,000 TEUs, the new waterway will be able to accommodate vessels carrying about 12,000 TEUs.