ITF Raises Concerns Over Tugboat Safety in Expanded Panama Canal Locks

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has commissioned a examine into the maneuvering feasibility of the brand new Panama Canal locks following considerations of significant deficiencies within the fleet of tugboats that might be used to maneuver ships by the brand new locks.

In a deal signed in Limassol, Cyprus final Friday, the ITF agreed to make use of the Brazil-based Fundação Homem de Mar (FHM) to assemble a mathematical mannequin to research the maneuverability issues for the protected transit of the locks.

The new locks will name for elementary adjustments to canal operations. Most notably, the bigger locks would require using tugs to maneuver ships out and in them, not locomotives (or mules), as is the case with the present Panama Canal locks. This new technique of navigation has been a trigger of significant concern amongst Panama Canal pilots, who argue that the brand new technique is considerably much less protected and fewer environment friendly – even basically flawed – in comparison with the present system utilizing locomotives.

Ivan de la Guardia, normal secretary of Panama’s Tugboats Masters and Mates Union, mentioned: “We have, for a number of months, requested to have a correct engagement to draft a brand new set of procedures for the brand new locks. This has consistently being denied by the canal administrator. Even members of parliament have identified that the tugboat fleet has severe deficiencies that should be addressed“.

Luis Yau, normal secretary of the Engineers’ Union added: “Even if the locks were ready today, one year after the original scheduled delivery, we would not be ready to operate safely and efficiently. We want the Panama Canal Authority to understand that our lives are at stake if we lack the proper operational procedures.”

Severino Almeida, a council member of the FHM basis, defined: “We have developed a series of services in our simulation center, we are capable of making mathematical models of all kind of vessels, terminals and navigational channels in order to simulate the maneuverability and the feasibility of all maritime operations. We have decided to offer our solidarity and expertise to support our Panamanian colleagues and the ITF. The Panama Canal has a special meaning for all of us as seafarers and we are eager to support a better understanding of the operation of the new locks.”

Delivery of the Third Set of Locks, the principle element of the $5.25 billion growth program, was initially scheduled for 2014 to coincide with the 100 12 months anniversary of the present canal, however price overruns and delays have pushed the opening to April 2016. There’s additionally the likelihood that the opening may very well be delayed even additional after cracks have been found in one of many chambers of the brand new locks on the Pacific aspect – a problem that continues to be unresolved.

ITF president Paddy Crumlin, who was current in Limassol to fee the examine, acknowledged: “The ITF is dedicated to utilizing all means, together with probably the most superior mathematical fashions, with a purpose to be certain that operations are protected for the tugboat crews and for all canal customers. Any insufficient operation might have a severe influence on the worldwide maritime commerce and likewise on the seafarers we symbolize.

“We want to support the Panamanian authorities and the international maritime community to make the new locks a success, both in terms of safety for seafarers and Panama Canal workers, but also in terms of profitability for the Panamanian government, which has made an incredible investment,” he added.

The expanded Panama Canal’s new locks will enable the transit of bigger ships, successfully doubling its capability, and open up the canal to new market segments, corresponding to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), for the primary time.

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