The most notable project within this portfolio is the construction of the Río Indio reservoir, designed to guarantee an adequate supply of water for the canal's operations, following the recent droughts that affected ship traffic.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced a US$8 billion investment plan to be implemented over the next few years, with the aim of strengthening the country's infrastructure and ensuring its strategic position as a key international trade center.
The most notable project within this portfolio is the construction of the Río Indio reservoir, designed to ensure an adequate supply of water for canal operations, a lesson learned after recent droughts that affected ship traffic.
According to Ricaurte Vázquez, administrator of the ACP, the first step will be to reach agreements with local communities on relocation and compensation.
"There is no single solution for all families. There are 500 families and there will be blocks of solutions depending on the specific needs of each person," said Vázquez.
He added that this process could take between 12 and 18 months before the infrastructure works begin.
In addition to the reservoir, the plan includes projects aimed at strengthening cargo transportation and connectivity between the Atlantic and Pacific, including solutions to improve the movement of liquefied petroleum gas and expand container transshipment capacities across the Isthmus of Panama.
Currently, operations rely on existing rail, highway and port terminals, but the ACP believes it is essential to significantly increase these capacities.
Vázquez stressed that the objective is to develop greater port infrastructure at both ends of the Canal, especially on the West Bank, which will allow for an increase in cargo transfers, from the current 8 million containers per year to an estimated figure of 12 to 13 million in the coming years.
With these investments, the Panama Canal seeks not only to strengthen its role as a strategic maritime corridor, but also to consolidate Panama as a hub for global trade.
