For its centenary in 2014, the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) decided to modernise and expand the historic waterway linking the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean. Bosch Rexroth has been awarded a multi-year contract to manufacture the new hydraulic systems, which will ensure the canal’s uninterrupted operation.

The Panama Canal provides the shortest route for trade ships between the east and west coasts of North America. However, less than 40% of the world’s commercial fleet can make use of this shortcut due to their large sizes.

The PCA plans to eliminate bottlenecks by enlarging the locks in place and building a third set of locks on both the Atlantic and Pacific ends. This will allow ships up to 366 metres long and 49 metres wide to pass through the canal.

In addition to providing more space for the ships to move through, the new locks are also required to protect the region’s water regime. Currently, approximately 208 million litres of fresh water is needed for each passage, and the new locks are to be much larger than the old ones.

To resolve this issue, the three chambers will be connected to three water-saving basins. To raise the ships, the Bosch Rexroth drives will open the corresponding sluices and the water from the basins will flow by gravity into the lock chamber. Unlike traditional lock designs, not all the water flows into the sea during the lowering cycle. Most of it moves into the water re-utilisation basins, saving about 290 million litres of water per lockage, and reducing fresh water consumption by 60%.

This technologically-demanding solution offers dual benefits: It is more economical and protects the region’s resources.

A South Korean manufacturer is delivering the gates for the water-saving basins, the conduits used to fill the lock chambers with water from Gatún Lake or from the adjacent chambers, and for the compensation gates between the lock’s chambers. A rolling gate is the central element here; these steel heavy structures regulate the flow of water as they are lowered or raised to stop the flow or allow water to pass. Bosch Rexroth has worked very closely with the manufacturer and is fitting 158 rolling gates with the required drives and control technology.

The first component shipments are set for April 2012. This is a specification that Bosch Rexroth, as an international system supplier, can satisfy thanks to its worldwide development and manufacturing capacities. In addition, Bosch Rexroth conforms to the standards adopted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Bosch Rexroth’s contribution will guarantee a smooth flow of traffic on one side of the world’s biggest waterways.