Panama City, Panama, May 11, 2017 – As a part of its commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with its customers, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) hosted its second Open Forum on Tuesday, offering the shipping industry an opportunity to discuss the Expanded Panama Canal’s operations to-date as well as the various other services offered at the waterway.
Shipping line representatives and agents, as well as members of Panama’s maritime and logistics sector participated in the forum titled, “The Logistic Hub Path: Tackling Future Challenges.”
“The forum allows an open exchange of ideas and conversation with our valued customers so that we can answer their questions, while receiving feedback that enables us to improve our services,” said ACP Executive Vice President of Operations Esteban Saenz.
The ACP’s Marine Traffic and Measurement Manager Abraham Saied, Operation Analyst Cesar Lau, and Processes and Client Liaison Officer Marcia Ortega presented on the performance of the Canal’s Neopanamax and Panamax locks, its vessel booking system, enhancements currently underway to accommodate future demand, and current and future resources available for Panama Canal operation. Ana Reyes, the government of Panama’s Logistics Cabinet Coordinator joined as a special guest to discuss the country’s action plan for further developing itself as a global logistics hub.
After the presentations, participants asked questions to Canal executives, offering ideas to help the waterway continue to provide world-class maritime services.
In addition, attendees visited Cocoli Locks, where they were able to see the Expanded Canal in operation.
About the Panama Canal Authority
The Panama Canal is run by an autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP’s website: http://www.pancanal.com or follow us on Twitter @thepanamacanal.
About the Panama Canal Expansion
The Panama Canal Expansion is the largest enhancement project since the Canal’s opening in 1914. Considered and analyzed for a decade with more than 100 studies, the Expanded Canal provides the world’s shippers, retailers, manufacturers and consumers with greater shipping options, better maritime service, enhanced logistics and supply-chain reliability. The Expansion included the construction of a new set of locks on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway, creating a third lane of traffic and doubling the cargo capacity of the waterway. While the expanded locks are 70 feet wider and 18 feet deeper than those in the original Canal, they use less water due to water-savings basins that recycle 60 percent of the water used per transit. In line with its commitment to customer service, the Panama Canal will continue to provide the world with value for another century and beyond.
