October 22, 2006, was a day that was marked in the history of our country. More than 76% of Panamanians who participated in the referendum to define the future of the Canal, voted in favor of its expansion, and thus endorsed a project that five years after its inauguration, on June 26, 2016, continues to generate benefits to the country.

Today we can speak with certainty and conviction that the Panama Canal has reaffirmed its role in world maritime trade, with more than 13,000 transits annually, and serving 180 maritime routes connecting 1,920 ports in 170 countries.

As a result of the trend toward cargo consolidation, the Canal has experienced an increase in the volume of cargo transiting its waters. Such is the case of the container carrier segment, which grew 9.8% in tonnage during the first half of fiscal year 2021.

Today the challenges are more ambitious. Climate change has led us to rethink how to ensure the availability of water for human consumption and for waterway operations. It also drives us to become a carbon-neutral organization, using renewable energy sources for daily operations.

And what about the Canal’s valuable institutional framework? This is what has ensured that the waterway, one of the country’s main assets, is a national and international benchmark for high-level corporate practices, operational efficiency and transparency.

The challenges continue and the will is with us. The Canal will continue its constant search for excellence and improvement in its operational processes. In the meantime, we continue to offer a quality service that serves as a boost to our country’s economy.

Marianela Dengo de de Obaldía
Vice President of Communication and Corporate Image