PANAMA CITY, Panama, January 31, 2006 – The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced today that its Industrial Shipyard Division, as well as its Electrical and Aqueduct Division, received ISO 9001:2000 certification resulting from an audit of its Quality Management System, performed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Certification was officially awarded on January 27, 2006.
“We at the ACP are greatly honored that our Industrial Shipyard and Electrical and Aqueduct Divisions have been certified on quality procedures. It is a testament to the hard work and devotion by our managers and world-class workforce,” said ACP Industrial Services Director, Esteban G. Saenz.
The ACP sought the certification because of its firm commitment to innovative, quality management. Receiving certification confirms that the ACP is implementing robust management procedures that enhance Canal reliability, efficiency and safety. The Panama Canal is the largest area to be IS0 9001:2000 certified – in addition to being the only “World Wonder” to have undergone the process, according to Alan Marsh, president of the Stat-A-Matrix group.
ISO 9000 standards are implemented by approximately 610,000 organizations in 160 countries. These standards help to enrich quality management at organizations, including enhancing customer satisfaction and continually improving performance. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a non-governmental organization, is the “world’s largest developer of standards” (www.iso.ch).
“Our daily activities are complex, our processes are very diverse and our operational dynamics are never the same. Achieving this certification represented a great challenge. We are very proud of this accomplishment and remain committed to working toward providing quality products,” said ACP Industrial Shipyard Division Manager, Karamjit Singh.
Other divisions at the ACP have received ISO 9001:2000 certification, including the Safety Division in late July of 2004. ISO 9001 certification was also awarded in 2001 to the ACP’s Maritime Operations Department and Human Resources Department Training and Development Division. The divisions are periodically audited by DNV to maintain certification.
ABOUT THE PANAMA CANAL AUTHORITY
The Panama Canal Authority is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal Authority is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the Panama Canal Authority’s Web site: www.pancanal.com.
The Authority’s responsibility to the Panamanian people is paramount. The Canal belongs to the people and benefits from the Canal should accrue to as many Panamanians as possible. The Authority will plan its future so that it will continually contribute to the economic development and welfare of the citizens of Panama.
