AUGUST 2, 2013—The first four new massive gates for the Panama Canal’s Third Set of Locks is expected to arrive in Panama from Italy on a heavy lift ship on August 19. The locks are one of the biggest milestones of the Expansion Program.

The Third Set of Locks has a total of 16 rolling gates (eight for each new lock complex).The new gates weigh an average of 3,300 tons each and are 57.6m x 10m x 31.92m. They were constructed in Italy by subcontractor Cimolai SpA. They will be unloaded in the Atlantic side of the Canal and rolled off the ship onto a special reception dock.
 
The Expansion Program has an overall progress of 60.4% and will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double the waterway’s capacity. The Third Set of Locks will make room for the transit of more cargo and larger vessels, having a direct impact on economies of scale.