The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will charter a Post-Panamax vessel before the opening of the expanded canal to be used for training purposes.
Esteban Saenz, executive vice president of operations, reported that the Panama Canal would charter a Post-Panamax ship to train pilots and tug captains that will assist in transits through the new lane.
Mr Saenz said the vessel would be used several months before the opening of the expanded canal to test the new locks.
"This is one of the best ways to train our pilots and tug captains in the joint effort required to transit through the two new lock complexes of the expanded canal," he said.
Since 2012, a total of 186 of the approximately 280 canal pilots have been trained at the Panama Canal's Center for Simulation, Research and Maritime Development (SIDMAR) using Post-Panamax model ships.
Mr Saenz also said that 77 per cent of the Panama Canal pilots had participated in manoeuvres with Post-Panamax ships, and more than 2,000 operations have been registered with these types of vessels at the ports located on both entrances of the waterway.