Panama Canal Tugboat Fleet Expansion

The Panama Canal has increased its tugboat fleet with the arrival of the first two of 14 tugboats, to strengthen the Canal's capacity for the opperation of a third set of locks.

The tugboats are part of a new fleet of 14 that will arrive within the next 12 months from Spain.

The additional tugs' capacity will assist Post-Panamax vessels transiting the Canal.

The update of the Panama Canal tugboat fleet began in 2001, when the waterway had 20 tigs. That figure has now risen to 39, and after retiring tugsreaching the end of their lifespan, by the end of next year, the Canal will have a fleet of 44 tugs.

Source: GAC