The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that the first-ever expansion is 96 percent complete.
In line with this, ACP CEO/Administrator Jorge L. Quijano provided a next-step update at an industry event Friday in Panama City.
The key points:
Locks reinforcements are scheduled to be completed mid-January 2016.
Testing of locks reinforcements and additional testing will occur next.
In April, transit trial tests with a chartered vessel in the Atlantic locks will occur (following conversations with GUPC).
A date for the expansion’s inauguration will be then be selected, expected to be in the second quarter of 2016
Subsequently, the commercial opening date will be selected. The opening will be soon after the inauguration.
The ACP is building the expanded Canal for the long haul, and quality and testing are critical. The ACP will continue to provide updates on the project as more progress and information is made available.
About the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is run by an autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors.