Cracks May Extend Panama Delays Well Past 2016 Scheduled Opening

摘要

Opening of a third lane in the Panama Canal that would cut weeks off the travel time for US LNG exports to Asia is likely to be further delayed as a result of problems with the new locks at the Pacific end of the canal. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says leaks developed in the concrete used in the locks during essential stress testing, but insists the wider canal will open on schedule in April 2016. But describing the problems as 'worrisome,' sources tell NGW sister publication World Gas Intelligence they believe the opening could be pushed back until later in 2016, if not 2017.