(TheOlympian) The Panama Canal administrator says a consortium building new locks won the $5.2 billion contract in a fair and open process. Alberto Aleman Zubieta says the work is on schedule and has the support of the Panamanian government. Aleman spoke to reporters Wednesday in rebuttal to a U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks quoting Panamanian President … [Read more...]
Lago Alajuela Panama Canal resevoir seen from space
(NASA) In early December 2010, the Panama Canal closed for only the third time in its 96-year history. Two artificial lakes linked to the canal, Gatún and Alajuela, reached their highest-recorded water levels, prompting authorities to close the canal for 17 hours. The canal reopened on December 9. Lago Alajuela serves as a reservoir for the Panama Canal, which lies to … [Read more...]
Panama Canal open after first closure since 1989
(Bloomberg) The Panama Canal, which handles more than 200 million metric tons of cargo a year, opened today after rain forced the first closure of the waterway since 1989. The 80 kilometer (50-mile) canal, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, opened after 17 hours, the Panama Canal Authority said in an e-mailed statement today. Ships were stopped yesterday after … [Read more...]
Panama Canal shut by heavy rains
(BBC) The Panama Canal is fed by rain that falls in the surrounding hills Traffic through the Panama Canal - which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans - has been temporarily suspended because of heavy rain. The canal authority said the rains had pushed water levels in lakes that form part of the canal to historic highs, potentially endangering shipping. It is … [Read more...]
Visiting Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal
(prensa.com) That day the sun was shining. It was Sunday, noon, and the Miraflores Visitors Center had already opened its doors to the public. The children ran from side to side, not wanting to miss the passage of huge vessels that traverse the Panama Canal locks. "What luck!", He was heard to say to anyone here. Yes, "lucky" to see the action of a ship in transit through … [Read more...]