Panama Canal Completes Culebra Cut Dredging in Expansion

Panama Canal reaches another milestone in its expansion project.

The Panama Canal Authority has completed the dredging to deepen and widen the navigational channels along Culebra Cut as part of its expansion program.

A total of 3.2 million cubic meters were removed during the deepening of Culebra Cut, which is the narrowest portion of the canal’s navigational channel, making it a difficult area to access. The dredging began in May 2008.

Canal authority equipment was used for the project, including the dredges Mindi, Rialto M. Christensen and Quibian I, and the drill barges Thor and Baru. Contracted equipment was also used, including the dredge II Principe, property of Belgian company Jan de Nul Group, and the dredge Cornelius, property of the Netherlands-based company Royal Boskalis Westminster.