Panama Canal Authority April 24, 2006 Page 5
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Posted On: 12/13/2013 10:28:43 PM
Panama Canal Authority
April 24, 2006
Page 5 of 70
. The new channels will be at least 218 m (715’) wide, both on the Atlantic and Pa-cific sides, which will permit post-Panamax
vessels to navigate in these channels in a single direction at any time. As far as existing navigation channels are
concerned, the project includes the deepening of Gaillard Cut’s and Gatun Lake’s navigation channels by 1.2 m (4’), up to a
9.2 m (30’) PLD 10 level. The channel will then be able to accept vessel drafts of up to 15.2 m (50’) 11in tropical fresh water
(TFW)12. Gatun lake’s channels will also be widened to no less than 280 m (920’) in their straight sections and 366 m (1,200’) in
the turns. These dimensions will permit post-Panamax encounters or cross-navigation in opposite directions in Gatun Lake. Additionally, the Canal’s sea entrance navigation channels on the Atlantic and Pacific sides will be widened to no less than 225 m (740’) and deepened to 15.5 m (51’) deep below the level of the lowest tides. Widening and deepening the Canal entrances will allow post-Panamax vessels to navigate these channels and meet vessels of Panamax dimensions in them
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