December 16 - The final gate for the new locks of the Panama Canal expansion project has been transported through the canal for installation on its Pacific side.
This movement completes the transfer of all eight gates from the Atlantic to the construction site on the Pacific side of the canal. Each gate was barged along the canal, assisted by Panama Canal tugs.
The last gate measured 31.9 m high, 57 m long and 8 m wide, and with a total weight of 4,200 tonnes, was one of the heaviest gates to have been shipped.
All gates - eight in the Pacific and eight in the Atlantic - are now ready for installation during the next couple of months, said the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).
Various logistics and transport companies have been involved in the movement of the gates from Italy to Panama, including Geodis Wilson, Sarens, Crowley and Coscol.
HLPFI covered the scope of Geodis Wilson's work for the project in the September/October 2014 issue of the magazine, which can be read here.
According to ACP the expansion project is now 82 percent complete.
