The Panama Canal has signed an agreement to become a Mission Ambassador of the Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center, which promotes actions to achieve a shift in maritime transport towards zero carbon emissions. This collaboration began in 2022 and is now being strengthened to become more robust and productive.
The partnership with this center, globally recognized for its contributions to the decarbonization of the maritime industry, complements the environmental sustainability actions undertaken by the Panama Canal. “We are signing an agreement that makes us Mission Ambassadors, a role that goes beyond simply collaborating in the green corridor,” said Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator and Sustainability Officer of the Canal.
The role as Mission Ambassador entails being part of the main value chain of maritime transport, providing relevant skills, capabilities, resources, and assets for the Center’s projects. Both organizations are committed to supporting this initiative and contributing to the mission of decarbonizing the global maritime industry.
Pernille Dahlgaard, Director of Government Business and Analysis at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “The Panama Canal represents a central part of the global maritime transport ecosystem. Working with the Canal is essential to accelerate decarbonization,” she stated.
The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center is an independent foundation whose main purpose is to operate a global research center that contributes to innovation and the development of technologies to decarbonize the maritime industry. Additionally, it seeks to establish an open and neutral platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to become a visible driver of change worldwide in the transition towards a carbon-free maritime industry.
At the forefront of climate data and analysis
With over a hundred years of hydrometeorological measurement records, the Panama Canal has become a key tool for decision-making in times of both prosperity and crisis. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Administrator of the Canal, highlighted the scientific contribution of the Canal as one of the significant benefits of 25 years of Panamanian administration. In this regard, the Canal records substantial geospatial positioning data and satellite information essential for its operations.
“As Panama learns to manage the environment, it must remember that the country depends on rain and, consequently, on weather conditions. If we don’t understand this, the country’s greatest wealth — from agriculture to the operation of the Canal — will be affected, compromising our ability to generate quality of life,” stated Administrator Vásquez.
With this agreement, the Panama Canal reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and the fight against climate change, leading initiatives that ensure a sustainable future for the maritime industry and the entire nation.