1. How the Panama Canal operates?

The Panama Canal crosses at its narrowest part and above the Central
Cordillera. To move from one side to the other ships must pass through three
sets of locks which function to equalize the amount of water between one
section and another to accompany the passage of the ship. Below, when we
see the video, we will see graphically how the locks of the Panama Canal work.
In the scheme above we see upon entering the channel from the Atlantic Ocean
boats must pass through the locks of Gatun, then through all the artificial
Gatun Lake and then go into the narrowest part of the channel. Approaching
the Pacific Ocean ships have to go through two sets of locks more: the locks of
Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. In total the canal is 78 kilometers and 26
meters above sea level rises to cross widthwise across the country.

2. Expansion of the Panama Canal

The third set of locks is a giant project to expand the Panama Canal. This
enlargement will be the largest since the construction of the canal. The
authority of the Panama Canal proposed the project after years of studies. The
former Panamanian President Martn Torrijos presented the plan on April 24,
2006 and Panamanian citizens approved it in a national referendum on October
22, 2006 by 76.8% of the vote. Project provides double the canals capacity
and allows more traffic.
The project will create a new flow of traffic along the canal through the
construction of a new set of locks. Details of the project include the following
components:
construction of two new complexes of locks, one on the Atlantic side and
another on the Pacific, each of them with three cameras, and additional tubs
for water recycling;
Excavation of new access channels to the new locks and the widening of
existing navigation channels;
Deepening of channels of navigation and elevation of the water level of the
Lake gatun.
Operation as stipulated by the Panamanian Constitution, any project to expand
the canal must be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Assembly
and referendum. Friday, July 14, 2006 the National Assembly unanimously
approved the project. In addition, the Assembly passed a law that ordered a
national referendum on the proposal. The referendum on the expansion of the
Panama Canal was celebrated on 22 October 2006 with result of approbation.
Of the expansion of the Panama Canal project officially started in 2007

2.1 New locks

El Canal today has two lanes each with its own set of locks. The project is to
add a third lane through the construction of complex locks at each end of the
channel. A sluice complex will be located on the Pacific side to the southwest of
the existing Miraflores Locks. The other will be located to the East of the
existing Gatun locks. Each of these new complex locks will have three
consecutive Chambers designed to raise the vessel from the sea level up to the
level of Gatun Lake and down again. Each Chamber will have three tubs of
water saving, for a total of nine tubs for lock and 18 tubs in total. Like the
existing locks, the new locks and their tubs will be filled and emptied by
gravity, without the use of pumps. The position of the new locks uses an
important part of the area already excavated by the United States in 1939,
work suspended in 1942 because of the onset of the second world war. The
new locks will be connected to the existing Canal through new channels of
navigation system. The new cameras of the locks will be 426,72 m (1, 400 ft)
long by 54,86 m (180 ft) wide and [18.29] m (60 feet) deep. In the near future,
the fourth set of locks will go into construction allowing the channel to
accommodate new demand and real at the time. Are feature dimensions
greater than the locks under construction. Studies are already in route and
update. Rolling doors instead of miter gates used in the existing locks will be
used in the locks. Rolling doors are used in almost all existing locks with
dimensions similar to those planned and are a proven technology. The new
locks will use tugboats to place the ships instead of locomotives. As in the case
of the rolling doors, tugs are used currently successfully and extensively for
these purposes in locks of similar dimensions.
Elevation of the water level of Lake Gatun in 0.46 m

all the dimensions of the Canal make precise reference to the level of reference
(LDP), which is in the entries of the Atlantic and Pacific sea level. The maximum
level of functioning of the Gatun Lake will rise at approximately 0.45 metres
(1.5 feet) - from the present PLD level of 26.7 meters (87.5 ft) to a PLD level of
27.1 meters (89 ft). Combined with the widening and deepening of the
navigation channels, this component will increase Gatun Lake reserve water
storage capacity and will allow the water of the Canal system to supply a daily
average of 165 000 000 U.S. gallons (625 000 000 L; 137 000 000 imp gal)
additional water. This extra volume of water is enough to supply an annual
average of approximately 1,100 additional lockages without affecting the water
supply for human use, which also comes from Gatun and Alhajuela Lakes.
The duration of the construction of the third set of locks project is scheduled
between 7 to 8 years. The new locks will be inaugurated June 26, 2016.

2.2 Environmental impact

the ACP claims in the proposal, that the third set of locks project is feasible
from the environmental point of view. It has been proven that all potential
adverse environmental impacts can be reduced through existing procedures
and technology and there is no anticipated adverse effects permanent or that
one can reduce the population or the environment. There are no items in the
scope of the project which will endanger its environmental viability, such as
communities, primary forests, national parks or forest reserves, heritage places
or relevant archaeological sites, tourist or port areas or zones of agricultural or
industrial production. The project will not cause permanent or irreversible
impacts in the water or in the air quality. The proposed water supply program
meets the objectives of maximizing the ability of water in Gatun and Alhajuela
Lakes and applies the most efficient technology for the use of the water in the
locks, so it will not be necessary new reserves. Therefore, it is not necessary to
relocate communities. The entire area directly affected by the project is located
within the operational and administrative areas of the ACP.

The Panama Canal has a limited capacity, determined by the cycles of

operation of the locks. The current trend is towards larger than the ships that
pass, lingering longer in operation. The constant need for regular maintenance
due to the age of the channel, forcing periodic closures of some way. With the
growing demand generated by the globalization of international trade, the
Panama Canal Authority (ACP) estimated that the maximum sustainable
capacity of the channel between 2009 and 2012.Comparacin surpass the size
of the current chamber locks with the new cameras of planned locks. Another
important factor is the size of the locks, which restrict the maximum size of
ships that can transmit the canal, called Panamax. The dimensions of the locks
the current channel are of 320.04 m (1,050 ft) long, 33.53 m (110 ft) wide, and
12.81 m (42 feet) deep, although actual sizes are somewhat smaller service
(eg, the maximum usable length of each lock chamber is 304.8 m (1 000 ft).
the expansion of the canal will allow the passage of post-Panamax ships, new
cameras built new locks are larger and measured 426.72 m (1,400 ft) long,
54.86 m (180 ft) wide, and 18.29 m (59 feet) deep, with two new rolling gates
on each side of the cameras that are largest and heaviest in the world. Since
1930, all studies canal expansion established that the most effective and
efficient way to improve the channel capacity, alternative is the construction of
a third set of locks with larger dimensions than those built in 1914 . in 1939,

the United States initiated the construction of additional locks, designed to

allow the transit of commercial and war ships larger than the size of the
existing locks dimensions. In 1942, after advancing the excavations
significantly, the Americans suspended project execution due to the beginning
of World War II. In the decade of the eighties of the twentieth century, a
tripartite commission formed by Panama, Japan, and the United States,
addressed the issue again, and, like the Americans in 1939, decided that a third
set of locks was the alternative appropriate to increase the channel capacity.
Later, studies developed by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) as part of its
Master Plan, with a horizon to 2025, ratified a third set of locks, larger than the
existing ones, it was appropriate, what more profitable to increase channel
capacity and allow the Panamanian maritime route to continue to grow.
According to the ACP, through its history the channel has continually
transformed its structure, and adapted to the needs of international trade and
maritime transport technologies. Thus, the waterway has increased its
competitiveness in a sustainable manner. The then President Martin Torrijos, in
his speech on April 24, 2006, announcing the project said "... to put it
graphically, [the Canal] is like our 'oil'. Like the oil that has not been extracted
worthless, and to remove it you have to invest in infrastructure, the Canal
requires to expand its capacity to meet the growing demand load, and
generate more wealth for Panamanians.

2.3 Cargo volume

Based on the projections of the ACP over the next 20 years the volume of cargo
transit the Canal will grow at an average of three percent annually, doubling in
tonnage in the period from 2005 to 2025. Condition the Channel will allow
passage of larger ships, will more efficient by allowing the transit of higher
cargo volumes at relatively lower cost and with less water.
Historically, segments of dry bulk and liquid have generated most of the
revenue. In dry bulk products such as grains (corn, soybeans and wheat,
among others), minerals, fertilizers, coal included; and liquids, such as
chemicals, liquefied gas, crude oil and petroleum products. Recently, the field
of containerized cargo segment has replaced the dry bulk, as the main income
generator, moving into second place. Moreover, the segment of vehicles has
become the generator of income in third. The analyzes of the shipping industry
by the ACP and industry experts said it would be beneficial for both the Canal

and its users, expand, due to the demand that will permit the transit of higher
tonnages.
The question is whether the trend that offers the ACP, will materialize in the
demand projections for the next generation. Growth in the use of the
Panamanian route in recent years, has been almost entirely by increased US
imports from China, they are passing through the channel to the ports of the
eastern US and the Gulf Coast. However, it is recognized, both in the United
States and China that this imbalance in trade is unsustainable and will be
reduced, leading to some adjustment in the coming years, although it is
important to note that any imbalance should not be attributed to goods sent
physically, but has to take into account intellectual property, and updating of
Chinese law regarding protection. However, the ACP think that will continue to
grow for a generation, as it has done in recent years. One of the main
supporters among critics of this proposed expansion is the former - canal
administrator Fernando Manfredo, who argues that it is unrealistic to try to
predict trends of channel usage for a generation, and, even more unlikely to
expect that the US-China imports continue to grow as they have done in recent
years, for another generation, so it is irresponsible to bet the financial future of
Panama in this projection.

Ministry of Education
La Academia Billingue School
English department

Operation of the new locks

Name:
Kingberly Chen

Level:
12 A

Teacher:
Litcia Pomares
Tourism

6-7-2016

Index

Introduction
Content
1. How the Panama Canal operates?
2. Expansion of the Panama Canal
2.1New locks
2.2Environmental impact

2.3Cargo volume
Conclusion
Infographic

Infographic

https://micanaldepanama.com/ampliacion/
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampliaci
%C3%B3n_del_Canal_de_Panam%C3%A1
http://www.prensa.com/ampliacion-del-canal-de-panama/

Introduction

Today the Panama Canal continues to be a beneficial trading company and also
maintains its fundamental performance of maritime connection. The strategic
location of the Canal of Panama and its short distance between the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans has resulted in further attempts to copy the path to marketing
between the two oceans for many years. Although initial plans are plotting an
overland route connecting the ports between the Atlantic and Pacific, the
speculation over a possible canal, oceans are remote to the early European
exploration in America.