Panama Canal: third set of locks (expansion)
New, larger locks that let Neopanamax ships use the canal.
Project at a glance
| Location | Agua Clara (Atlantic) and Cocolí (Pacific), Panama |
|---|---|
| Owner / agency | Panama Canal Authority (ACP) |
| Completed / opened | 2016 |
| Sector | Dams and water |
| New locks | Agua Clara (Atlantic) and Cocolí (Pacific) |
| Water reuse | Water-saving basins recycle about 60 % of the water per transit |
Construction technology used
- Water-saving basins beside the lock chambers recycle about 60 % of the water used per transit.
Key facts
- Inaugurated on 26 June 2016.
Learn the engineering behind it
- Canals and cross drainage works · Dams and Hydraulic Structures
- Spillways energy dissipators and gates · Dams and Hydraulic Structures
Sources
Facts on this page are taken only from official or authoritative sources (owner agencies, government releases, designers and contractors) and written in our own words. A figure is shown only when we could confirm it from at least two of the sources below; anything we could not confirm is left out. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Author: Indiacon. Last reviewed 24 Oct 2026. Educational summary; not an official project document.