Concerns that the opening of Panama Canal’s new, larger locks would be delayed have been dispelled, as administrator Jorge Quijano has assured shipping leaders that the opening is scheduled for April next year.
According to the Journal of Commerce (JoC), the new locks will allow the canal to handle ships with capacities of up to 14 000 TEUs, nearly triple the largest ships that can pass through the canal’s existing locks.
However, Quijano told JoC that the size of ships transiting the canal would be increased gradually, allowing pilots to become accustomed to the new conditions.
Speaking at the Danish Maritime Forum in Copenhagen, Quijano discussed the canal’s progress, stating that "it hasn't been easy." However, he highlighted that the expansion was about 95% complete.
