Panama Canal reopened - Latest Current Affairs for Competitive Exams

Question: Panama Canal project is also known by which of the following name?

(a) First Set of Locks Project
(b) Third Set of Locks Project
(c) Second Set of Locks Project
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)

Related facts:

On 26 June 2016 the Expanded Panama Canal was officially opened for business.
Its length is 82 Km.
The canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Panama Canal consists of three lock systems.
That is why this project is also called as the Third Set of Locks Project.
The inaugural transit began with the passage of Neopanamax vessel COSCO Shipping Panama through the Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side of the country and concluded with its transit through the Cocoli Locks on the Pacific side.
The ship of 366 m. Long and 49 m. Wide can pass through the canal.
Panama with a population of 38 million, largely dependent on the Panama Canal for its revenue.
After the construction of New dams (Locks) 96 per cent of the ship will be able to use it.
The Panama Canal is a man-made 48-mile (77 km) progress through the fresh water lake “Gatun”.
The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. There are locks at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal, 26 metres (85 ft) above sea level.