Modification work was expected to begin yesterday on the Galleons Passage, following its arrival in Panama last week.
Arriving on schedule in Balboa on Wednesday, the vessel was boarded by the Canal Port Captain who identified the modifications to be made and which were in keeping with Canal requirements.
Officials of the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco) on Friday confirmed that a contractor had visited the boat on Thursday to assess the modifications required.
Following this exercise, the contractor subsequently submitted the modification plans to the authorities for approval.
The approval was received on Friday and work was expected to begin yesterday, once the weather improved. The modification works are expected to be completed by today.
Nidco said once the boat passed inspection, it would be advised of its scheduled time to transit the Canal.
It is estimated that the vessel will pass through the Canal on or around May 23.
Once this schedule is followed, officials estimated that the Galleons Passage should arrive in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, by Saturday, good weather permitting