News

Expansion of Panama Canal Nearly 50 Percent Complete

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - December 31, 2012

Above: the Panama Canal (Photo: Panama Tourism)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Progress on the expansion of the Panama Canal was at 48.9 percent through November, the Panama Canal Authority announced in a press release Monday.

The report came as the Canal celebrated 13 years under Panamanian administration.

“The Panama Canal reaffirms its relevance in international commerce more than ever as a result of the decisions and actions that Panamanians have taken with regard to its management,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Luis Quijano.

The expansion project, which will allow for a new lane of traffic along the canal and the transit of so-called super ships, first began in 2007.

After five years, the Authority said 28,690 direct jobs had been created. On Sept. 20, the Canal awarded contracts totaling $4.3 billion.

Several components are already completed on the project, including dredging works at the Panama Canal entrances on the Pacific and Atlantic sides.

The excavation of the Pacific locks access channel has completed 76.5 percent of its project.

The expansion, which is slated for completion in 2015, has drawn the attention of the Caribbean — particularly Jamaica, which is looking to develop a transshipment hub to capitalize on the increased flow of ships.

Popular Posts

A.R. Carnegie, 74, Caribbean Legal Legend

A Caribbean Journal Editorial He was never a judge, never a Queen’s Counsel. His robes were never silk. But A. Ralph Carnegie was a Caribbean John Marshall if there ever was one. Ralph Carnegie, A.R. in scholarly texts, passed away […]


Robinson: Manatt Approached Government

Lackston Robinson, Jamaica’s Deputy Solicitor General, testified that it was the law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, and not the Jamaican Government/Jamaica Labour Party, that made the first move to solicit a contract to lobby the White House, he told […]


IMF Back in Antigua on Performance Review

The International Monetary Fund has sent a team to Antigua for a third review of the nation’s performance on a stand-by arrangement with the IMF. According to the Ministry of Finance, the IMF team began the review Monday and will […]


Related Posts the peninsula

Fortress' $425 Million Hotel Rebuild in St Thomas

The iconic Frenchman’s Reef resort complex in the U.S. Virgin Islands was built in 1973 and was a beloved Caribbean resort before it was shuttered in 2017 due to the massive devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria. After years […]


This Nassau Resort Is Offering Incentives for Group Bookings

Margaritaville Nassau Resort Caribbean

Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau in the Bahamas is offering some interesting incentives for advisors who book a substantially sized group. Advisors who book between 25 to 49 rooms will be able to pick two benefits from the resort’s benefits list. […]


There's a New Small Airline in the Dominican Republic 

dominican republic plane on runway

There’s a new way to hop around the Dominican Republic, with the introduction of an airline called Reef Jet.  Reef Jet will be running flights between major cities in the Dominican Republic, including connections between Punta Cana and Santiago, Pedernales […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You