Syncrolift wins Panama canal contract

Syncrolift has been awarded a $1.2 million contract from The Panama Canal Commission to study the feasibility of using its Syncrolift technology to assist in moving ships through the Panama Canal.

The study will look at using a Syncrolift to transfer ocean-going ships between Lake Gatun, at an elevation of 26m (85ft), and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans on either side of the Canal. The proposed Syncrolift would operate 30 per cent faster than the existing locks and may save 220,000t (52 million gallons) of fresh water per ship.

The traditional Syncrolift platform would be replaced by a water-tight chamber with gates at either end. With the forward gate closed, the vessel sails into the chamber, the aft gate then closes behind the vessel, sealing the chamber. The Syncrolift, using electro-mechanical hoists rather than water, lifts or lowers the entire chamber to transfer vessels fron one level to another. The proposed system will not replace the existing locks, but will provide additional capacity for transiting smaller ships.

Contact: Andrea Fisher
Fax: +1 703 709 6087.