GUPC – Grupo Unidos por el Canal – had the “best value” proposal.
This mega project is one of the largest and most
prestigious hydraulic projects of the last decennia.
The project will allow larger vessels to sail between the
Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean trough the Panama
Canal.
The consortium consists of Spanish constructor Sacyr
Vallehermoso, the Italian builder Impregilo, Belgian
company Jan De Nul and local construction company
Cusa.
Works are expected to start early 2010.
Source: Jan De Nul Group, July 2009
GUPC Consortium with Jan De Nul in pole position for Panama Canal
The consortium scored highest on the technical evaluation and delivered the best price proposal for one of the most prestigious hydraulic engineering projects in the world.
With the offer of US $ 3.12 billion the consortium did not exceed the Panama Canal s allocated price of US $ 3.48 billion.
The construction of the 3rd set of locks is the most important part of the of the Panama Canal expansion project.
The
works include the construction of 6 lock chambers.
Each
of these lock chambers has a similar size to the
‘Berendrecht lock’ in Antwerp, Belgium, at this moment
the largest lock in the world.
The project will take 5 years
and create more than 6000 jobs.
During that period 40
million m³ soil will be excavated and 5 million m³ concrete
will be poured.
Once completed, the capacity of the Panama
Canal will be increased with approximately 50 %.
Because the consortium had the best technical score as
well as the lowest price, it is expected to be awarded the
contract in the coming weeks.