MAY 3, 2013 — The Balboa, Panama, shipyard that formerly operated as Astilleros Braswell is back in operation after two years of inactivity. In January, Panama's Comptroller General approved a 20 year contract for operation and administration of the yard to locally-owned MEC Shipyards. This is the first time in its history that the shipyard will be operated by a Panamanian owned company.

Dorado Discovery in MEC Balboa Shipyard dry dock

The yard, which was built in 1914, has three dry docks, with dimensions of (1 )318 m x 39 m (33.6 m at entrance),(2) 130 m x 30.5m and  (3) 70 m x16.8 m. The big dock is the largest Panamax-size dock on the West Coast of North and South America. Before reopening the facility, MEC Shipyards had to invest in four tower cranes, but it is now drydocking vessels again with the big dock reportedly fully booked until July.