Ricardo Martinelli News

Panama President and Canal Authorities Commemorate New Milestone in Canal Expansion Work. Panama President Ricardo Martinelli witnessed a new milestone at the Canal Expansion with the filling of a segment of the new access channel that will allow the transit of Post-panamax vessels between the new Locks and the Culebra Cut. Panama Canal Authority Board of Directors Chairman and Canal Affairs Minister Rómulo Roux and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Alberto Alemán Zubieta accompanied…

This week the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) welcomed dignitaries to the Atlantic expansion site in Colón, including:  Belize Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega; Colombia President Álvaro Uribe; Costa Rica Vice President Alfio Piva Mesén; Dominican Republic Vice President Rafael Albuquerque; Guatemala President Álvaro Colom; Honduras President Porfirio Lobo; Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Spain Vice President Manuel Chaves. The delegation, in Panama for the Central American Integration System (SICA) summit…

December 31, 2009, marked a decade of management of the Panama Canal by Panama. This vital trade artery has long stood as one of the world’s most recognized and respected engineering marvels and a crucial link in the global supply chain. Building on this, the decade of Panamanian stewardship and leadership has been evidenced by change, achievement and growth. By nearly every measure, the Canal’s role in world trade and value to global commerce has increased significantly in the past 10 years.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) hosted Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper today, during his first official visit to the Republic of Panama. Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, Panamanian Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, ACP Board Chairman and Minister for Canal Affairs Romulo Roux, along with ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta, greeted the Prime Minister and briefed him on the latest developments surrounding the waterway’s historic Expansion Program – which continues to progress on-time and on-budget, to-date.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that Consortium Grupo Unidos por el Canal will design and build the waterway's new set of locks, the most anticipated project of the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Grupo Unidos por el Canal, composed of Sacyr Vallehermoso S.A., Impregilo S.p.A., Jan De Nul n.v. and Constructora Urbana, S.A., was one of three world-renowned consortia vying for the largest and most important contract under the Canal's expansion. The ACP revealed that Grupo Unidos por el Canal submitted the "best value" proposal for the new set of locks contract during a public event held Wednesday, July 8. The event, broadcast live on Panamanian television and the ACP Web site, was attended by Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and many high-ranking government officials.

President Mireya Moscoso of Panama made a final appointment for the post of Minister of State for Canal Affairs. Jerry Salazar, former director of the Panama Maritime Authority, has been appointed to the said position. Since the Canal Minister chairs the ACP board, Salazar will assume the Chairmanship of the Panama Canal Board of Directors. Salazar replaces Ricardo Martinelli, who resigned as Canal Affairs Minister in January. Salazar brings experience in developing and executing maritime policy. In 1989, he was appointed Director of the National Ports Authority, which eventually became the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). As director of the AMP…