Will the leak push back the opening date?

Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. After initially saying that the recently discovered crack in the new Panama Canal locks won’t delay the opening, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is now leaving that option open.

ACP has appointed two independent external structural engineers to review the forthcoming solution that will be proposed by the construction group – Groupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC). Once ACP and its engineers have had a chance to review the report from GUPC, they will reassess the proposed opening date for the new locks.

Originally scheduled to open in 2014, the new lock are currently scheduled to open April 2015.