Panama Canal project on schedule despite leak: ACP
The ACP said "some water-filtration issues were detected in a specific area of the new Cocoli Locks, located on the Pacific side of the waterway" as part of operational testing.
"At this time and based on preliminary evaluations, the project's completion timeline as well as the expected date for commercial operation are not expected to change," the ACP said.
The main contractor on the project is the GUPC consortium, which is led by Spainas Sacyr.
"GUPC has the obligation to ensure the long-term performance on all aspects of the construction of the locks and to correct this issue. Moreover, GUPC's contract with the ACP dictates that the group is responsible for modifications and corrections," the ACP said.
The process of filling the new locks began in June.
"Technical personnel are addressing this temporary situation in the structure," GUPC said. "The precise aim of the test phases is to detect any situation that requires adjustment or reinforcement for the proper functioning of the project."
The expansion of the canal will allow the passage of larger vessels, including LNG tankers that up to now have not been able to transit the strategic waterway.
The project has been set back several times, mainly because of labor strife and a dispute between the ACP and GUPC related to cost overruns.
Separately, the ACP said on 21 August that a second set of draft restrictions that had been foreseen for 15 September has been "postponed" thanks to rainfall in the canal watershed.
An initial maximum authorized transit draft restriction of 11.89m (39ft) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) remains in effect as of 8 September until further notice, the ACP said. "Vessels arriving after this date with drafts over the limit of 11.89 meters may be allowed to transit the waterway depending on the water level of Gatun Lake at the actual time of transit."
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