Third Set of Locks Project

Third Set of Locks Project
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Third Set of Locks Project
Location	Panama Canal, Colón, Panama, Panama
Country	Panama
Coordinates	9.0667° N, 79.6833° W
Operator	Panama Canal Authority
Status	Operational

Third Set of Locks Project. The Third Set of Locks Project is a major expansion of the Panama Canal, located in Colón, Panama, Panama, which was completed in 2016 by the Panama Canal Authority in collaboration with Bechtel Group, Sacyr, Impregilo, and Jan De Nul Group. This massive undertaking has enabled the Panama Canal to accommodate Neopanamax ships, such as the Emma Mærsk and the CMA CGM Marco Polo, which are operated by Maersk Line and CMA CGM, respectively. The project has had significant implications for global trade, with major shipping lines like Evergreen Marine, Cosco Shipping, and Hapag-Lloyd benefiting from the increased capacity.

Introduction

The Third Set of Locks Project was first proposed in the 1990s by the Panama Canal Authority, with the aim of increasing the capacity of the Panama Canal and allowing larger ships to pass through. The project was approved in 2006 by the Panamanian government, led by Martín Torrijos, and construction began in 2007. The project involved the construction of two new locks, one on the Atlantic Ocean side and one on the Pacific Ocean side, as well as the excavation of new access channels and the widening of existing ones. The project was carried out in collaboration with international companies like Van Oord, Royal Boskalis Westminster, and Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas.

Background

The Panama Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and allowing ships to pass through the Isthmus of Panama. The canal was originally constructed by the United States between 1904 and 1914, and was operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers until 1999, when it was transferred to the Panama Canal Authority. The canal has undergone several expansions and modernizations over the years, including the construction of the Gatun Locks and the Miraflores Locks, which were designed by John Frank Stevens and George W. Goethals. The Third Set of Locks Project is the largest expansion of the canal to date, and has been supported by organizations like the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank.

Construction and Design

The construction of the Third Set of Locks Project involved the excavation of over 160 million cubic meters of earth and the construction of two new locks, each with three chambers. The locks were designed by Tetra Tech and Arcadis, and were built using a combination of concrete and steel. The project also involved the installation of new miter gates, which were designed by Kiewit Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the construction of new access roads and bridges, which were built by Bechtel Group and Ferrovial. The project was carried out in collaboration with international companies like Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, and SK Engineering & Construction.

Environmental and Social Impact

The Third Set of Locks Project has had significant environmental and social implications. The project involved the excavation of large areas of land, which has had an impact on local ecosystems and wildlife, including the Panama Canal watershed and the Soberanía National Park. The project has also had an impact on local communities, including the Kuna people and the Ngäbe people, who have been affected by the construction of new access roads and the expansion of the canal. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the United Nations Environment Programme have been involved in monitoring the environmental impact of the project. The project has also been supported by governments like the Government of Panama, the Government of the United States, and the Government of China.

Current Status and Future Plans

The Third Set of Locks Project was completed in 2016, and the new locks were officially opened by Juan Carlos Varela, the President of Panama, in June 2016. The project has been a major success, with the Panama Canal experiencing a significant increase in traffic and revenue. The Panama Canal Authority has announced plans to further expand the canal, including the construction of a new Corozal Locks and the expansion of the Gatun Lake. The project has also been recognized by international organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers, the International Navigation Association, and the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, and has won several awards, including the 2017 International Project Management Association Award and the 2018 Engineering News-Record Award of Excellence. Companies like Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil have also benefited from the increased capacity of the Panama Canal.