Panama made a reality, starting yesterday, their yeaned-for and most important work in the last century: opening their insides once again for the benefit of world trade and Panamanians.
The Chinese neopanamax vessel Cosco Shipping Panama had the historical mission to test the majestic work on the opening day.
One thousand four hundred journalists from different parts of the world disseminated the first-hand information and witnessed more than 60 high-level international delegations.
Cosco Shipping Panama began its journey at the locks of Agua Clara, Colon, at 07:30, and arrived nine hours later, at 16:30, at the locks of Cocoli.
From the start in the Atlantic until the end of the tour in the Pacific, the neopanamax caused a party atmosphere in thousands of people.
In Cocoli, the vessel was greeted with thousands of Panamanian flags that waved in the hands of proud citizens, who sang the national anthem at the top of their lungs. At the end a joyful, emotional cry was heard at unison: ¡Viva Panama! and tri-colored balloons were released.
At 17:58 a countdown was made and the locks were opened so that the Cosco Shipping Panama could continue its course towards the Pacific Ocean, in the midst of a cloud of smoke for the fireworks that were burnt.
In his speech in Cocoli, President Juan Carlos Varela acknowledged that he had not supported the Canal expansion, but indicated that God, history and the Panamanian people gave him the opportunity to inaugurate the work.
He affirmed that he will ensure the objectives that were not clear in the referendum for the enlargement: that Canal funds are handled with transparency, that these funds reach all Panamanians and that a plan of national development for its use be set.
Subsequently an art show was held that placed more than 250 artists on stage.
The event was attended by the Presidents of Chile, Michelle Bachelet; Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis; Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez; Paraguay, Horacio Cartes; Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina; Kosovo, Hashim Tashi; and Taiwan, Tsai Ingwen.
In addition, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, the Prime Ministers of Portugal, Antonio Costa; Barbados Freundel Stuart; Curacao, Bernard Denzil; and Jamaica, Andrew Holness were present, as well as the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Hussein Mamish.
The noticeable absentees were the President of the United States, Barack Obama, and former President of that country, James Carter, co-signer of the Torrijos-Carter treaties that allowed the reversion of the Canal to Panamanian hands. Representing the United States assisted the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden.
Party in Agua Clara
At 07:30 the Chinese vessel started entering the expanded Canal, through the locks of Agua Clara clear. From early morning, thousands of Panamanians came dressed up with patriotic colors to a party atmosphere.
Over there, the administrator of the Canal, Jorge Luis Quijano, said in his speech that this work is just "the tip of the iceberg" of an ambitious plan that seeks to turn Panama into the logistics center of America.
He added that it also represents an opportunity, so the region can improve its infrastructures, increase its exports and grow economically together with in Panama.
"Directing this work for all Panamanians is the greatest honor that life has given me," Mr. Quijano said in an excited fashion, while stating that this enlargement is the "greatest work that has been done in a century on our soil".
Mr. Quijano acknowledged the great contribution of the Panamanians that made up 90% of the whole workforce. A minute of silence was kept in honor of eight workers who died in the enlargement works.
Protocol Acts in Agua Clara lasted four hours.
From 01:00, workers hired by the ACP prepared thousands of hamburgers and soft drinks for the thousands of Panamanians who flocked in Agua Clara. The acts were decorated by means of fireworks and the waving of thousands of Panamanian flags.
Attendees covered themselves from the sun and rain with umbrellas with the distinctive colors of the national flag. Most recorded the historical scenes of the event with their cell phones. Tour operators organized tours in advance to participate in the holiday events.
The acts included an exchange of presents between the captain of the Cosco Shipping Panama, Jude Rodrigues, administrator Quijano and President Varela. Quijano gave Rodrigues two commemorative plates of the enlargement and a coin in 24 carat gold, with number 88, while he gave Varela in return a replica miniature of Cosco Shipping Panama.
Both Mr. Varela and Mr. Quijano also unveiled in Agua Clara a commemorative plaque before the more than 30 thousand workers who participated in the work, including the eight ones who were killed during the works.
The passage of the Cosco Shipping Panama process involved 140 workers of the ACP, including two women.
The expanded Canal has already made 160 reservations of vessels wishing to transit the new structures, including one carrying liquefied gas, which opens a new line of users who previously could not use the pathway due to their humongous size.
The new locks measure 70 feet wide more than the current ones and have 18 feet of depth. The expanded Canal recycles 60% of the water used in every lockage operation.
