Panama Canal expansion passes another hurdle

Panama Canal expansion passes another hurdle    Panama President Mart'n Torrijos and the Cabinet Council of Panama have approved the proposal to expand the Panama Canal, the canal authority said Tuesday.
   The proposal has now been submitted to Panama's National Assembly, which will review it and hold discussions that will be open to all Panamanian citizens. If approved, the assembly will then create a law mandating a referendum to be held after 90 days in which the people of Panama will vote on expansion.
   'This marks an important milestone for Panama and its canal, as we take another step toward shaping the future of our country and waterway,' said Alberto Alem'n Zubieta, canal authority a administrator and chief executive officer, in a statement.
   The canal expansion would be the largest project since its original construction and would double the waterway's capacity, allowing more traffic by creating a new lane able to accommodate the world's biggest containerships.