AmericasPorts and Logistics
Opening of expanded Panama Canal confirmed for April next year
Despite plenty of exasperating delays from contractors – the latest being leaking locks – the expanded Panama Canal will open for business in April as planned.
The nation’s foreign ministry is now sending out official invitations to some 70 heads of state for the opening ceremony. The new locks in place will allow ships of up to 14,000 teu to transit the waterway.
Originally planned to open in 2014, the $5.25bn expansion project has been hit by a number of cost overruns and delays. The latest scare happened in mid-August when a crack emerged on one of the new giant locks.