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New Construction: Panama Canal Expansion

Panama 

Contractor: Duero Latina

Project Scope

Since the multi-billion project began in 2007, there have been numerous phases including the excavation of an access channel for the Pacific-side locks, the dredging of the canal waterway, the raising of the Gatun Lake operational water level, and the construction of a third set of locks. Spider has played a critical role for the construction of the Pacific and Atlantic third locks, being named the sole provider of suspended access equipment for the precision installation of over 700 rail and valve assemblies that will respectively control the entrance and exit of water through the locks. 

Challenges

  • Project complexity with large quantities of equipment required on-site for three year duration.

Solution

Spider provided seven ST-19A work baskets, fourteen ST-180 work cages with flydecks, and more than eighty SC1000 traction hoists on site. Additionally, Spider’s Panama team provided on-site technical support as needed.

“We put Spider’s equipment to the test, especially during the last six months of the work when it was used practically 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate the safety of Spider’s equipment a 10. We have had no accidents, the equipment was light and easy to handle, and the sizes of their standard equipment were perfect for our application, helping us control our costs.”

Luis Vergara | General Manager and Partner, Duero Latina

Related Products

  • ST-19A Work Basket
  • ST-180 Work Cages
  • Flydecks
  • SC1000 Hoist