Panama Canal announces US$32 billion investment to improve competitiveness

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This investment plan, which highlights the contribution of the workforce, comprises the implementation of a decarbonization program of operations and water projects, the latter aimed at supplying water to the country’s population and the operation of the waterway.

It also includes digital transformation through the incorporation of new information technologies to streamline processes.

Last March, the Canal announced its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, in line with the global commitments established by bodies such as the United Nations and the World Maritime Organization.

By offering a shorter route, the Panama Canal encourages ships to emit fewer polluting gases; however, the organization is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations through specific initiatives such as generating electricity from renewable sources, consolidating its facilities to minimize the impact of the carbon footprint caused by the mobilization and transfer of employees to multiple locations, and capturing CO2 through the efficient management of the watershed’s forested areas.

As part of this goal, the company has requested the relevant authorities to acquire some 8,000 hectares within the region in order to expand environmental protection and sustainable development programs in the watershed.

In addition, to convert its car fleet into electric vehicles, and its floating equipment to hybrid sources. To this end, the Panama Canal expects to allocate between US$500 million and US$1.5 billion over the next decade.

According to the report, the other key to the Canal’s sustainability is to ensure the availability of water for the population and the operation of the waterway, given that climate change over the last decade has affected the watershed. To this end, the Panama Canal is developing a water program with an estimated investment of US$1.9 billion until it begins operations in 2028.

As for digital transformation, the plan is to allocate US$500 million in projects that incorporate technologies, information and data management to maximize the capacity of the interoceanic waterway’s current plant.

In addition, it plans to invest US$2.4 billion in replacing equipment such as tugboats and modernizing facilities such as the Canal’s water treatment plants and dams.

The investment also includes the relocation and upgrading of facilities to streamline operations and minimize the carbon footprint that naturally results from the interaction, mobilization, and transfer of over 9,000 employees.

By 2030, the Canal plans to invest some US$2.8 billion in the regular maintenance of its plant, considering that the Panamax locks will have been in operation for over 110 years in the next decade. These investments include dredging of navigation channels, maintenance of floating and rolling equipment, as well as the electrical systems that power the operation.

Over the next 10 years, the Canal’s goal is to directly contribute approximately US$21.5 billion to the National Treasury. Thus, the waterway will fulfill its constitutional responsibility to operate in a safe, continuous, efficient, and profitable way, fostering growth and opportunities for the country. The Canal contributed US$18.642 billion during its first 20 years of Panamanian administration.

The investment plan for the next decade includes US$2.2 billion to cover financing, mainly for the expanded Canal. In 5 years of operations, as a result of investments in the new locks, Canal revenues have increased from US$2.5 billion in 2016 to approximately US$4 billion in 2021.

Finally, as part of its long-term vision, the Canal will implement a more dynamic pricing strategy, ensuring that its service generates added value to its customers. This pricing structure will incorporate factors aligned with environmental sustainability, by encouraging ships transiting the Canal to do so with greater energy efficiency and using alternative fuels.