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West Coast and California Logistics Blog

Panama Canal Expansion Project to be Completed for 2016 Opening

Jan 28, 2015 / by Weber Logistics posted in West Coast Distribution, Panama Canal

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According to a report by the Tico Times, a widened Panama Canal will be open for business in 2016 after a $400 million cash injection to help complete the long-delayed project.

The Panama Canal expansion project was initially planned to have been completed in 2014, in time for the canal’s 100th anniversary. Now, Canal authorities say construction will be finished in 2015, and the widened canal will open in early 2016. The widening will allow the Canal handle so-called “Post-Panamax” ships with a capacity of up to 15,000 containers, instead of the current maximum of 5,000. 

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Why SoCal Ports will Remain Strong Post Panama Canal Expansion

Aug 27, 2014 / by Weber Logistics posted in Southern California Ports, Port Logistics, Panama Canal

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It’s hard to say exactly when the newest section of the expanded Panama Canal will open. Construction delays and labor disputes have laid waste to the original timeline. 

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Panama Canal Expansion Delays – Money or Politics? Or both!

Jul 2, 2014 / by Weber Logistics posted in Southern California Ports, Panama Canal

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The deadline for completing the $5.25 billion Panama Canal expansion has already been delayed multiple times, with the original target date of October 2014 set back by a total of 16 months to early 2016.  The project has been beset by problems. 

In early May, Panamanian construction workers ended a two week strike that severely delayed construction.  Salary increases will be in place over the next four years in response to the work stoppage.  Earlier this year there began an ongoing financial dispute between the Canal Authority and GUPC, the consortium of European contractors responsible for completing the expansion.  In question is a $1.6 billion cost overrun that would bring the total price tag to around $7 billion for the expansion project.  The cost to build the entire canal in the early 1900’s was approximately $360 million, according to pancanal.com 

An arbitration process is now in place to decide who will pay what.  While financial measures have been taken to resume construction, what drama holds next for the remaining 25% of construction? 

According to an article posted on www.npr.org, Jan Kop, GUPC’s Deputy Project Director, says that the cost overruns are due to “surprises that we could not have foreseen such as rare soil conditions and higher than expected earthquake potential along the canal.”  He also states that the Panama Canal Authority “should have known about these things since 1914.”  On the other hand, Jorge Quijano, a US educated engineer and the head of the Panama Canal Authority says, “Even if their claims were fact, the amounts they are claiming are outrageous.”

The two parties agreed to pay an additional $100 million each to keep the project moving forward and the canal authority expects to recoup their funds upon the completion of the expansion. 

Canal Expansion Impact on Southern California Ports

They say that for every action, there is a reaction.  Many people wonder about the impact of the Panama Canal expansion on the ports of LA and Long Beach.

Weber believes that the impact will be less significant than many predict.  Read our Insight Paper: Panama Canal Expansion: Impact on the Volume of Imports to Southern California

Southern California’s already established infrastructure is designed to handle great volumes of import freight, while the Gulf and East Coast ports try to catch up.  Also, the additional costs of fuel and higher tolls on the Canal will more than likely increase costs, which will ultimately be passed on to the consumer.

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BIG SHIPS Spur Southern California Ports Growth | 2013 Logistics Outlook

Feb 7, 2013 / by Weber Logistics posted in Southern California Ports, Logistics Management, Panama Canal

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(Dennis McDonough is VP of Client Solutions at Weber Logistics)

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Panama Canal Expansion: Impact on Southern California ports

Dec 13, 2012 / by Weber Logistics posted in Southern California Ports, West Coast Distribution, Panama Canal

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Currently, large cargo ships are too wide, deep and tall to maneuver through the Panama Canal.  However, the Panama Canal expansion project currently underway will double capacity by allowing more and larger ships to transit.   

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End of Strike Brings Growth Opportunity to Southern California Ports

Dec 5, 2012 / by Weber Logistics posted in Southern California Ports, West Coast Distribution, Panama Canal

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Employers and striking harbor clerks at the Ports of LA and Long Beach mercifully reached agreement on a contract that brought striking workers and sympathizers back to work on December 5.  The deal allows normal volumes to flow through America’s most important trade gateway after an 8-day labor impasse that cost the National economy $8 billion. 

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