ABS Group Completes Independent Third-Party Verification Services for Panama Canal Locks

ABSG Consulting Inc., agencia in Chile, a subsidiary of ABS Group, provided independent third-party services to the Panama Canal Authority for the successful operation of two new neopanamax lock complexes, Cocolí and Agua Clara, which were installed on the Atlantic and the Pacific sides, respectively, of the expanded Panama Canal.

On 9 June, the MV Baroque, a post-panamax cargo ship, transited the Agua Clara locks to fully test the lock gates for the first time. ABS Consulting participated in this historic event to verify the locks' compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. A Declaration of Compliance with Protection Plan was presented following successful completion of the first trial runs.

In addition to ABS Group's Technical Inspection and Verification services, ABS Quality Evaluations, an ABS Group company, has provided ISO 9001 certification services to the Panama Canal Authority's Department of Operations since 2008.

The official opening of commercial operations through the expanded Panama Canal was held on Sunday, 26 June 2016.