Outbreak of fire at Miraflores locks west lane upper chamber

RE: Outbreak of fire at Miraflores locks west lane upper chamber

PANAMA FLASH! Panama City – December 16th, 2022

Vessel traffic at the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks (old locks) west lane was temporarily suspended on Dec 15th/0900hrs due to an outbreak of fire at one of the machinery tunnels of the upper chamber.  The traffic in the west lane was restored at 2050hrs Dec 15th.

No injuries were reported. The Canal Authority has initiated an investigating to determine the causes of the outbreak of fire.

The transit of 5 vessels (all non-booked) were affected as a consequence of this incident:

  • 1 Small Panamax (under 91ft Beam)
  • 3 Large Panamax (greater than 91ft Beam)
  • 1 Panamax Plus (Panamax size transiting through the Neopanamax locks).  

This last one was removed from the schedule to allow a booked large Panamax to transit in the Neopanamax locks.

There was no affection to Neopanamax traffic. The Panama Canal Authority is currently operating at normal condition.

——————————————————-

Norton Lilly International (Panama) S.A.

Bldg. 3825  – Office 204

Howard – Panama-Pacifico

Panama, Rep. of Panama

Tel: (507) 304-4600

Main email: operations@nortonlilly.com.pa  (24 hours)

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