PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 21, 2006 – The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) recently undertook scheduled maintenance work in four of the lock gates of the west chamber in the Gatún Locks.

The work, which began on Tuesday, August 15, was completed Sunday, August 20th, and required draining the locks chamber.  The lock gates and valves also underwent a system of corrosion protection.

Canal customers are informed of maintenance work up to a year in advance to minimize delays and the impact to vessel transit service.

Each set of locks is named after the city in which it was constructed: Gatún (on the Atlantic side), Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific). The lock chambers measure 33.53 meters wide by 304.8 meters long.

Panama Canal Authority work crews conduct a scheduled maintenance and renovation process at Gatún Locks, located at the Atlantic Ocean entrance to the Canal.

Panama Canal Authority crews drain one of the massive lock chambers at Gatún Locks.

About the Panama Canal Authority

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP’s Web site: www.pancanal.com.

The Authority’s responsibility to the Panamanian people is paramount. The Canal belongs to the people and benefits from the Canal should accrue to as many Panamanians as possible. The Authority will plan its future so that it will continually contribute to the economic development and welfare of the citizens of Panama.