Panama seeking bidders for new locks

Panama seeking bidders for new locks The Panama Canal Authority Monday released a request for qualifications for construction of the new set of locks to be built under the canal’s expansion plan.
   The request is for the first part of a two-phase process to select the company that will design and build the new locks, which will increase the size of ships able to cross the isthmus from about 4,500-5,000 TEUs to about 12,000 TEUs.
   During the first stage, the authority will evaluate applicants to determine the four most qualified to bid on the project. It will then ask the four to submit bids. The short list selection is expected to be completed by November.
   “We expect firms from all around the globe to respond; this is the most important contract within the expansion program,” said Jorge L. Quijano, the authority’s executive vice president of engineering and program management.
   “Over the last several months we have seen a number of international consortia being formed to participate in our contracting process,” he said. “We look forward to selecting, towards the end of next year, the consortium that submits the best proposal.”