P. M. BRIEFING : Canal Resumes 24-Hour Service
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WASHINGTON — The Panama Canal returned to normal 24-hour operations today and 38 ships were scheduled to pass through the strategic Atlantic-Pacific waterway, its Washington headquarters said.
“We are back to normal operations. . . . Things are beginning to fall into place and efficiency at the canal will pick up,” said Michael Rhode, secretary of the Panama Canal Commission.
The canal was closed for the first time in its 75-year history for other than landslides after U.S. forces invaded Panama last week to capture military strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega. The waterway was later reopened on a limited basis.
There were 135 ships waiting to transit at midnight Wednesday with 42 more vessels expected to arrive today, Rhode said.
“The work force is returning and we expect normal operations unless something unforeseen happens,” he added.
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