Panama Canal News

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…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) began the countdown for the centennial celebration as it commemorates its 99th anniversary. The countdown’s events will highlight the waterway’s contribution during the past 100 years and the efforts underway to face the challenges of the upcoming decades. The countdown began with the presentation of the Panama Canal Centennial logo on the control house balcony at the Miraflores Locks in a ceremony attended by members of the ACP Board of Directors and Panama Canal executives.

The Panama Canal commemorates 100 years of dredging Culebra Cut, removing the last barrier during its construction for the free movement of vessels along the 80-kilometer waterway. Following the calendar of activities in the countdown to the centennial, the Panama Canal highlighted the significant role played by dredging to ensure the safe navigation through the waterway, even before its opening 100 years ago. "Dredging is key to ensure the safe and efficient navigation through the Panama Canal on its nearly 100 years of operation," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L.

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.

Top award acknowledges outstanding service in the Western Hemisphere. CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, Alberto Alemán Zubieta, will be awarded the Latin Trade BRAVO Business Award for Distinguished Service in the Hemisphere on October 28. With nine categories, including a Lifetime Achievement Award and Dynamic CEO of the Year, the BRAVO Business Awards are given to those playing a key role in improving Latin America’s economy, business and education. “I am humbled by this honor…

The Panama Canal has dismisses claims by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that questions industry standards and the operation of the Expanded Panama Canal’s new locks. Claims made by ITF that new locks built for the Panama Canal expansion will be unsafe in operation have been strongly rejected by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) as lacking scientific accuracy and credibility. Following the publication of an ITF-commissioned study, Peter Pusztai Panama, Canal Pilot Training Coordinator, said: “The ITF’s claims are unproven and contain many errors.

The Expanded Panama Canal has transited 69 Neopanamax vessels since the Inauguration on June 26, 2016. Specifically, 40 containerships, 24 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, three vehicle carriers and two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers have transited the Expanded Canal. These LNG vessels were the first to transit the waterway since the Canal opened trade possibilities to this new market segment. In addition, the Panama Canal has received 250 reservations and counting for the Expanded Canal, including seven cruise ship reservations.

A new Emissions Calculator tool will offer shippers assessments of their carbon emissions, rank those who have reduced the most emissions by transiting the Panama Canal versus alternate routes and encourage action to reduce carbon footprints. “The Panama Canal has always been committed to reducing its carbon footprint and impact on the environment,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. Panama Canal Environmental Specialist Alexis Rodriguez explained that the Emissions…

U. S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutiérrez visited the Panama Canal today as part of an official Panama tour. Panama Canal Authority Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta met Secretary Gutiérrez and the U.S. delegation at the Miraflores Locks, where he explained how the waterway works and provided details on the progress of the Canal's expansion. Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships.

The Panama Canal registered a tonnage record of 87.7 million PC/UMS tons (Panama Canal Universal Measurement System) during the first quarter of the fiscal year (FY), a 4.8% increase from what was forecasted. “These results reaffirm Panama Canal’s impact on international trade and its role of continuing to offer a reliable and competitive service to its customers,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said. The Panama Canal fiscal year goes from October 1 to September 30. The previous record was during the first quarter of FY 2012 which registered 86.2 million PC/UMS tons.

The Panama Canal has increased its tugboat fleet with the arrival of the first two of 14 tugboats that will improve the waterway’s resources to offer a safer and more efficient service to the global shipping industry. These tugboats will strengthen the Canal’s capacity for the operation of the Third Set of Locks. “These new tugboats will allow the Panama Canal to continue offering a world-class service,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quiijano said. Cerro Itamut and Cerro Picacho are part of the new fleet of 14 tractor tugs that will be arriving within the next 12 months from Spain.

As part of the preparations for the expanded Panama Canal, the Board of Inspectors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has certified 12 new tugboat captains after successfully completing training. This is the fourth group of the program which started in 2008 and has certified 47 tugboat captains. This represents 50% of the goal set to meet the demand for the efficient and safe transit of vessels through the new locks of the Panama Canal. “This new generation of tugboat captains reaffirms our commitment to provide an efficient service to our customers,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L.

The Panama Canal has celebrated 102 years of successful operations and service to the global maritime community, just one day after welcoming its one-hundredth transit through the expanded waterway. On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened for business, during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson. But it was Wilson’s archrival who was the driving force behind the canal. Over the past century, the Panama Canal has left a legacy of innovation, connectivity and sustainability, having a direct impact on world maritime trade, as well as the people of Panama.

Captain Wei Jiafu, President and CEO of China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), recently endorsed the potential Panama Canal expansion, citing that a more modern, Canal will benefit the global economy and world trade. Nearly five percent of total world trade transits the Panama Canal. Of this trade, 88 percent flows between the United States and Asia. In a speech given in Panama last month, Captain Wei stated that with the rapid development of China’s economy, the Panama Canal becomes more important as a vital link for China to import and export goods to and from the East Coast of the United States, the Caribbean and the East Coast of South America. “I fully support this expansion plan. I believe that the expansion of the Canal will enable more ships to utilize the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will charter a Post-Panamax vessel before the opening of the expanded Canal to be used for training purposes in the Third Set of Locks. The Executive Vice President of Operations Esteban Saenz reported that the Panama Canal will charter a Post-Panamax ship to train pilots and tugboat captains that will assist in transits through the new lane. Saenz said the vessel will be used several months before the opening of the expanded Canal to test the new locks. "This is one of the best ways to train our pilots and tug captains in the joint effort required to transit through the two new lock complexes of the expanded Canal," said Saenz. He added that since 2011 the Panama Canal has promoted workforce training for the operation of the expanded waterway.

On the countdown to its centennial in 2014, the Panama Canal celebrates 14 years under Panamanian administration, characterized by its enhanced service to world maritime trade. "The Panama Canal has strengthened its role in international trade, while contributing to the country’s development,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. The Panamanian management model has enabled the efficient and safe operation of the Canal, allowing it to offer a world-class service. Under Panamanian administration…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that sill reinforcements in the new locks have been completed this week, bringing the Panama Canal Expansion closer to inauguration. The filling of the Pacific-facing Cocoli Locks has already begun, and the filling of the Atlantic-facing Agua Clara Locks began today. The Panama Canal is building the expanded Canal for the long haul, which is why quality and testing are critical. Once the locks are filled, the sills will undergo a rigorous testing process to ensure their integrity and proper function. “Every day, we move closer to completion,” said Panama Canal Administrator and CEO, Jorge L. Quijano. Less than four percent remains to complete the Panama Canal Expansion Program, which is expected to be inaugurated in the second quarter of 2016.

After agreeing to expand the successful G6 Alliance to the transpacific trade earlier this year, the six member lines announced the port rotations of their new comprehensive and competitive service portfolio. The new expanded cooperation will start in May with six coordinated services in the Asia-to-North America East Coast trade. It will deploy more than 50 efficient vessels with capacities between 4,500 and 8,000 TEU to connect about 30 ports in Asia, United States and Canada East Coast…

The Panama Canal celebrates today a century of operations connecting the world, committed to completing its Expansion, the largest infrastructure project of the waterway since its opening. "Going forward, the Panama Canal will continue to connect the world, supported by all the modernization efforts since its construction,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. The Panama Canal opened to world trade on August 15, 1914 with the passage of SS Ancon. Ever since, the 80-kilometer waterway has registered over 1,055,000 transits reducing distances, time and shipping costs.

The container vessel COSCO Shipping Panama set sail from the Greek Port of Piraeus today on its way to Panama to make history. The Neopanamax vessel will make the inaugural transit of the Expanded Panama Canal on Sunday, June 26, after a 14-day journey. Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano met with COSCO Shipping Panama’s Captain Jude Rodrigues and crew members prior to the ship’s departure. “I am very excited to be here today to witness the sailing of the ship from Greece, but also meet the Captain and his crew,” said Administrator Quijano.

The Panama Canal cruise ship season officially starts today, Wednesday, October 2, with the transit of the Celebrity Millennium. During this season, cruise ships will be transiting the waterway during the year of its 100th anniversary. The Celebrity Millennium, with a capacity of more than 2,000 passengers, marked the beginning of the season, transiting through the Panama Canal as part of a 15-day trip from San Diego, California to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in the United States. According to Albano Aguilar, international trade specialist for the Vice Presidency for Planning and Business Development, more than 200 transits are expected this season, an average similar to the past couple of years.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) met with the Japanese Shipowners Association (JSA) and several car manufacturers in Japan as part of the ongoing discussions with the vehicle carrier segment on the Expansion Program’s progress and future toll structure upon its completion. During the meetings, the Panama Canal provided an update on the Expansion Program and presented the analysis of the results for the potential pricing structure for the car carrier segment taking into account the feedback received recently from this group.

Only two months into the 2005 fiscal year, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is already breaking records once again. The ACP announced today that during the months of October and November, a total of 46,956,399 Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) tons were moved through the waterway - a 7.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Moreover, during the month of November, a daily average of 778,176 PC/UMS tons transited through the Panama Canal. This new figure breaks the record of 774,014 PC/UMS tons previously held in April 2004. "This record is a testament to the reliability and efficiency of the Panama Canal.