to move full steam ahead ">PANAMA CITY, Panama, September 22, 2008 - Every year, approximately five percent of the world's trade transits the Panama Canal and by 2010, the waterway expects that it will celebrate its one-millionth transit.

Through continued modernization efforts, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has improved its services and increased capacity including the replacement of 50,000 feet of tow track, the integration of more powerful locomotives and an increase in its tugboat fleet.

The tow tracks (pictured left) enable locomotive units, or "mules" as they are called, to move alongside transiting vessels, affixed by wire cables, to maintain a ship's position during passage through Canal locks. Replacing the tracks, therefore, increases the efficiency of transits at the Canal.

The waterway operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and since 1914, more than 8 billion long tons have crossed the Canal with a total of more than 957,600 transits. With service to more than 144 transportation routes across the globe, the Panama Canal continues to provide safe, reliable and efficient passage for all vessels.

About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP's Web site: http://www.pancanal.com/.

 

 

 

Read Full Article