Government Of Panama News

The Association of Panamanian Shipowners (ARPA) has become an associate member of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).Launched in 2020, ARPA was created by shipowners and operators of vessels to strengthen Panama’s shipping industry by offering quality support, professionalism, credibility, and active contribution to the social economic and environmental improvement of the country.This membership will build on the relationships across the maritime sector as the industry continues to work together to find solutions to collective issues including piracy…

Singapore and Panama have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their maritime relations.Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Health of the Republic of Singapore led the first high-level delegation from Singapore to Panama under the new government of Panama.Dr Lam met with several ministers of the government of Panama, as well as leaders of the business community. He was accompanied by Mrs Mary Seet-Cheng, Non-Resident Ambassador of Singapore to Panama, as well as officials from the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore.During the visit…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) held Tuesday a public hearing on the proposed modifications of its toll structure which culminated the period for receiving inquiries from the industry.The agency of the government of Panama responsible for the operation and management of the Panama Canal recently published a proposal to modify its current tolls structure for the dry bulk, passenger, containership, vehicle carrier and RoRo segments, as well as tankers, chemical tankers, LPG and LNG vessels, the intra-maritime cluster and minimum tolls.“The public hearing is an invaluable part of the process,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano.

The government of Panama gave a US$1.4 billion contract to build a bridge over the Panama Canal to Panama Cuarto Puente, a Chinese consortium.Panama Cuarto Puente consortium or so-called Panama Fourth Bridge Consortium,  composed of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and its unit China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), will design and build a bridge over the Panama Canal.According to a report in Reuters, the 6.5-km (4-mile) bridge will have six car lanes and a two-way metro line. The Chinese companies initially won the contract in June but the award was postponed after rival bidders appealed the decision.Now that the consortium outbid companies from Spain…

The Latin America Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre, part of a global network established under an ambitious International Maritime Organization (IMO)-European Union (EU)  project to further efforts to combat climate change, has been launched in Panama (13 March). The centre, hosted by the Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá (UMIP), is one of five such centres established under the GMN project, which is funded by the EU and run by IMO. The centres, in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific regions, act as regional focal points for a wide range of activities. These include, improving compliance with existing and future international energy-efficiency regulations…

Today, Moody's credit rating agency announced that it has assigned an A2 rating to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) for its business model, unique geographic advantage, and historically strong operational and financial performance. Moody's expects this performance to continue into the future, supported by the robust institutional framework and corporate governance under which the ACP operates. In its report, the credit rating agency highlighted that one of the ACP's largest financial strengths is its “clear legal and institutional framework,” which supports a reliable and stable operating environment for the entity moving forward. They also noted that the ACP's assigned rating is just above Panama’s country ceiling of A3…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that it is training over one thousand workers on the operations of the new locks of the Panama Canal Expansion. Once these first training phase is completed, the courses will be standardized and offered to additional members of the workforce. The training of Panama Canal workforce is a requirement under the new locks’ contract. The different project’s subcontractors, responsible for the electromechanical equipment, will offer the courses. Hyundai, manufacturer of valves and accessories, and Bosh Rexroth, supplier of the valves’ hydraulic cylinders, motors, and controls, will offer training courses. Training has already been provided on high-mast lighting, fenders within the chambers, bridge cranes, and the controls of the new locks’ equipment.

With an aim to boost shipbuilding in the country and attract investment in its maritime industry, the Government of Panama has presented a new bill dedicated to the development of the mentioned industries, says the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). The bill was introduced by Álvaro Alemán, presidential minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of AMP, Jorge Barakat Pitty, Minister of Maritime Affairs and administrator of the AMP, and Jose Isabel Quintero, CEO of Public Registry of Ship Ownership. The new bill, referred to as the Shipbuilding Finance Promotion Law, will help create more jobs in the country hopes the Authority. Among other things…

The Panama Canal celebrated its 15 year anniversary under the leadership of the Panamanian Administration. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. Since 1999, the Canal has invested $2.4 billion in projects aimed at updating its operational infrastructure and has acquired new equipment, guaranteeing its clients an efficient, safe, reliable and competitive service. During fiscal year 2014 (Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept.

Leaders of the maritime component of PANAMAX 2014 have paused about halfway through the exercise, to assess its benefits so far, informs U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs. Rear Adm. Benjamin Calle of Colombia is the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jon Matheson, the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, is deputy CFMCC for the exercise, which began Aug. 4 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 15. "This PANAMAX exercise is a huge event," said Calle. Sources say that 38 to 40 ships transit the canal daily between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, carrying some five percent of world maritime trade.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the consortium Groups Unidos por el Canal (GUPC) signed today the variation incorporating to the original contract the agreement reached in March for completion of the Third Set of Locks project. "What remains now is to continue working with the commitment to complete the Expansion which is currently at a 78% progress," said ACP Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. The Expansion Program registers an overall progress of 78%, while the new locks project is currently 73% complete. The consortium GUPC is formed by Sacyr Vallehermoso, S.A (Spain), Impregilo, S.p.A. (Italy), Jan de Nul Group (Belgium) and Constructora Urbana, S.A. (CUSA) (Panama).

Experts from the United States, Latin America and Europe will participate in the second Panama Canal International Maintenance Congress to be held on August 27 – 29, 2014, within the framework of the waterway’s centennial. The three-day event will have as main theme "Investing in Maintenance: Key to Competitiveness and Sustainability." Experts in the fields of maintenance and engineering will participate in the congress, sharing their knowledge and experiences in training for a culture of prevention. The presentations will focus on three areas: reliability and assets condition monitoring, maintenance of civil infrastructure and maintenance management. "This year, the congress has a special significance since it will be held during our centennial.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reports that despite efforts to agree with Grupo Unidos por el Canal, S.A. (GUPC) to resume work on the new locks project, positions between the parties remain apart. According to ACP a telephone confernce was held with CEOs of the contracting companies comprising GUPC (Sacyr Vallehermoso, S.A (Spain), Impregilo, S.p.A. (Italy), Jan de Nul Group (Belgium) and Constructora Urbana, S.A. (CUSA) (Panama) to review main points, including delivery times for the gates and how the remainder of the project is to be completed…

Panama Canal, GUPC and Zurich American to Continue Talks on New Locks Project. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that a meeting took place on Tuesday, January 28th between ACP, Zurich American and Grupo Unidos por el Canal, S.A. (GUPC) (formed by the companies Sacyr Vallehermoso, S.A (Spain), Impregilo, S.p.A. (Italy), Jan de Nul Group (Belgium) and Constructora Urbana, S.A. (CUSA) (Panama)). The parties agreed to continue the meeting today, to further evaluate options to establish alternatives to reach an agreement.

The Panama Canal is celebrating 13 years under Panamanian administration. During this period, the Canal has strengthened its role in international commerce as a result of investment in the modernization of its infrastructure, its expansion and an alliance with its natural surroundings. “The Panama Canal reaffirms its relevance in international commerce more than ever as a result of the decisions and actions that Panamanians have taken with regard to its management,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Luis Quijano.

The world’s largest classification society ClassNK (Chairman & President: Noboru Ueda), announced that the world’s first specialized vessel for the carriage of Nickel Ore has been built and registered to the NK class. The vessel, the Jules Garnier II, was built by Naikai Zosen Corporation and delivered to Japanese shipping major JX Shipping Co. Ltd on 19 September 2012, and is the first vessel in the world to be recognized as a Specially Constructed Cargo Ship for the carriage of Nickel Ore in accordance with the IMO’s IMSBC Code.

The Panama Canal set a mark in its history as it reached a new tonnage record of 333.7 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS) during fiscal year 2012 which concluded on September 30. This achievement highlights the value of Panama and its significance as a link in the chain of global trade. "This milestone attests to the reliable and continuous service offered by the Canal, which is supported by a workforce of 10,000 men and women. The Panama Canal works tirelessly to provide its customers with first-rate service…

Government of Panama approves canal tolls increases effective Ocober 2012. The Government of Panama has approved the proposal to restructure and apply selective increases in the Panama Canal pricing system, effective from 1 October 2012 to 1 October 2013. The Panama Canal Authority will increase the tolls for the following segments: * general cargo * dry bulk * tanker * chemical tanker * LPG * vehicle carrier and ro-ro * others There will also be changes to tolls applicable to small vessels, based on vessels' length, to incorporate adjustments not previously considered. The remaining segments will not be adjusted at this time, nor will the price per TEU for containers carried onboard a vessel.

ClassNK has released a new revised edition of its "Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Nickel Ore" which was first released in May 2011 in response to major marine casualties caused by a loss of stability as a result of the liquefaction of nickel ore. This first edition summarized operational precautions and recommendations from past findings for the prevention of such liquefaction. However, ClassNK decided to update these guidelines to provide an even greater level of support to the maritime community. Under the provisions of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, vessels can carry cargoes subject to liquefaction even if the moisture content is in excess of the transportable moisture limit (TML)…

More than 4,500 personnel from 20 countries began a 12-day exercise in Panama City on Sept. 11 to train in a joint, multinational effort to ensure the security of the Panama Canal. U.S. and Panamanian officials held a formal opening ceremony Friday for Fuerzas Aliadas (Allied Forces) Panamax 2009, co-sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and the Government of Panama, in Panama City, Panama. Representatives of the 20 participating nations joined Jose Raul Mulino, Panama's Minister of Government and Justice, and U.S. Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Gerald W. Ketchum, Director of Stability for U.S. Southern Command, at the ceremony. FA Panamax 2009 is one of the largest multinational training exercises in the world, and is taking place in the waters off the coasts of Panama from Sept.

On December 9, Panamanian President Martín Torrijos and Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta signed a $2.3b agreement with leaders from five multilateral and development agencies to finance the waterway’s most historic project to date: expansion. In an official ceremony held at Panama’s Ascanio Arosemena Auditorium, Mr. Alemán Zubieta and top executives from the five agencies signed the agreement to officiate the financing package, which will cover a portion of the $5.25b Canal Expansion Program.

Manning the controls of a large cutter suction dredge, Panamanian President Martín Torrijos kicked off the Pacific sea entrance dredging work for the waterway’s expansion on Nov. 17. He was accompanied by First Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Lewis Navarro, Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board Chair and Minister of Canal Affairs Dani Kuzniecky and ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta. In April 2008, the ACP awarded Belgium-based Dredging International the $177.5 million contract to dredge the Pacific sea entrance…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Web site (www.pancanal.com) received special recognition in the 2003 Golden @ Contest of El Salvador as the "Most Voted For Web site" by users in Central America. Accepted on behalf of the ACP by Roderick Guerra, Ambassador of Panama to El Salvador, the award was sponsored by Microsoft - El Salvador and El Diario de Hoy, a leading newspaper in El Salvador. Launched initially in August of 1998, and updated to the award-winning Web site version in December of 2000, Pancanal.com was constructed by an in-house graphics design team, executing the vision of Webmaster Leyla Raymondo and the ACP Corporate Communications Department.