Exclusive: Panama Canal to use up to five tugboats

The Panama Canal will use up to five tugboats to ensure safe navigation for vessels once inaugurated on June 26, according to captain Miguel Rodriguez, chairman of the board of inspectors at the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).

Although it was previously considered that the canal could use up to four tugboats, Rodriguez said in an interview with CM: “We could go up to five tugboats depending on the size, weight and manoeuvrability of the ship.”

“However the procedures we have prepared to take vessels through the new locks are not written in stone,” he added. “If we need to change them, we’ll change them.”