Panama Canal Explains Impact of Expansion Program

Press Release June 7, 2012

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) meets with top clients and government officials to explain impact of the Canal expansion program

PCA is meeting with clients, government officials, and maritime authorities from China, Japan, and South Korea to reaffirm its relationship with customers and explain the impact of the Panama Canal expansion program in Asia.

China (second), Japan (fourth), and South Korea (fifth) are among the top five users of the Panama Canal.

As part of the approach in Asia, ACP participated in the JOC Container Shipping Conference 2012 in Shanghai, where the Executive Vice-President of Engineering and Project Management, Jorge Luis Quijano, presented the "Potential Impact of the Panama Canal Expansion in Global Supply Chain."

In Shanghai, the representation of the Panama Canal had contact with directors of China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL), and while in Beijing they met Captain Wei Jiafu, President of COSCO Group Company and other executives of the firm.

"These direct contacts allow us to know first-hand what our customers and users of the Panama Canal think, with the goal of always providing quality service to uphold the competitiveness of the Panama route," added Alemán Zubieta.

In Japan, Canal executives will also approach Tokyo government officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meetings will continue in South Korea with executives from Samsung Heavy Industries and a tour to the facilities of the Busan Port Authority. In Seoul, the group will meet with executives from Hyundai and with officials from the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs and the Korean Shipowners Association.