As part of an international strategic agenda, the Vice President of Operations of the Panama Canal Boris Moreno participated in a business meeting at the Royal Academy of Engineering in Madrid.
During his presentation, Moreno addressed topics such as the evolution of the Panama Canal in recent years, the management of water resources in the face of climate change challenges, opportunities for revenue diversification, and ongoing strategic projects. One of the central points of his remarks was the management of the recent water crisis that impacted canal’s operations.
“During the crisis, we became water managers; experts in operating the locks with the least amount of possible consumption, while trying to deliver what we had promised our clients,” he said.
Moreno also shared the long-term vision for the canal, which is centered on sustainability and innovation.
“The idea is to work on sustainability, maintain the reliability and competitiveness of the canal, to make it even more relevant. It’s no longer just the concept of the Panama Canal. It’s the concept of the Panama route,” Moreno stated.
Moreno presented the most significant recent achievements made at the canal including recovering its operational capacity at the end of 2024, a 30% year-over-year increase in vessel transits, sustained investment in infrastructure and maintenance (more than 15 billion dollars between 2000 and 2025), and strategic plans to diversify revenue streams through initiatives such as the energy corridor and the new Río Indio reservoir. “This project has an estimated budget of 1.6 billion balboas and will add approximately 14 to 15 additional lockages per day,” he explained.
The Royal Academy of Engineering, recognized as a technical and scientific benchmark in Spain, promotes excellence and innovation across all branches of engineering. The event brought together representatives from prominent companies such as INESPRO, IDOM, ALTIA, ASCH, TYPSA, IZHARIA, Grupo Álava, and PROES. All these organizations have a solid track record in key sectors such as engineering, infrastructure, digital technology, sustainability, and technical consulting, making the meeting an ideal space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences among industry leaders.
This meeting is part of a broader series of strategic engagements by the Panama Canal Authority with key players in Europe’s infrastructure and technology ecosystem, aiming to strengthen cooperation, explore joint investment opportunities, and position Panama as a reliable partner in sustainable global development.
