Dredging work is one of the most important steps for the Panama Canal enlargement so as to allow deep draft ships to transit of the Atlantic, Pacific and through Lake Gatun.
According to thebulletinpanama.com, this work is nearing completion, showing progress of 86%, 97% and 72% respectively.
“ The dredging activities are going along normally and already show significant progress, fitting perfectly with the schedule,” said Project Manager Luis Santanach .
Dredging of Gatun Lake and Gaillard Cut is a comprehensive project and is the third largest budgeted in the Panama Canal Expansion Project.
Thebulletinpanama.com reports that the widening and deepening of Gatun Lake and Gaillard Cut covers an area of 50 kilometers and includes the dredging of approximately 30 million cubic meters of material.
The activities were divided into two contracts, plus work done by internal forces, reaching about two thirds of the dredging.
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Dredging Today Staff, August 7, 2012; Image: pancanal