• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
The Panama Canal held a new joint meeting between its Board of Directors and the Advisory Board, consolidating its strategic focus to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability, and growth of the interoceanic waterway in the global context.
During the sessions, from May 6 to 8 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, the Canal's operations, market, and financial performance report as of March 31, 2026, was presented, along with the outlook for the fiscal year, highlighting the Canal's operational robustness and its adaptability in a complex international environment.
Likewise, progress in the execution of the 2025–2035 Strategy was reviewed, including talent management initiatives such as succession planning, organizational development, performance, and leadership, as well as progress in digital transformation and the strengthening of data-driven management.
One of the central themes was the analysis of water projects, particularly the progress of the Río Indio Lake project, considered a strategic solution to guarantee water security for the population and the operational sustainability of the Canal, including progress in individual agreement and resettlement processes.
The agenda also included the evaluation of the income diversification program, with an emphasis on the development of new business models and concessions in logistics and port infrastructure, including specific initiatives linked to the development of ports and other strategic assets, as well as relevant geopolitical trends and factors affecting the Canal's operation and the advancement of technological projects applied to maritime traffic management and operations.
As part of the visit, participants had the opportunity to learn about and analyze world-class best practices in logistics, through tours of distribution centers, port facilities, and a tunnel under construction in the Norfolk area, which allowed for enriching the strategic vision with international experiences applicable to the Panama Canal.
"The Panama Canal makes decisions with a long-term vision and with the highest standards of governance. The contribution of the Advisory Board is fundamental because it allows us to complement our strategies with the experience of global leaders, ensuring that the interoceanic waterway continues to be competitive, sustainable, and relevant for world trade," highlighted Jose Ramón Icaza, Minister for Canal Affairs and President of the Board of Directors.
The Advisory Board, made up of internationally experienced experts, provided a strategic vision on global trade, logistics, and transport trends, contributing to strengthening the Canal's decision-making in a highly competitive environment. On this occasion, Mr. Thomas Bostick from the United States joined as a member of the Advisory Board.
The Panama Canal is a key piece of global trade and, in this context, decisions must respond to a deep understanding of international dynamics. The Advisory Board provides precisely that perspective, allowing for anticipating trends, identifying opportunities, and ensuring that the Canal continues to be a reliable, competitive, and relevant route for global markets.
The recommendations derived from this meeting reinforce the Panama Canal's positioning as a global strategic asset, prepared to face future challenges with a long-term vision.
The Advisory Board, established in 1999 under the Canal's Organic Law, is a high-level consultative council composed of international and national experts from strategic sectors such as trade, logistics, ports, maritime sector, projects, geopolitics, finance, banking, and energy. Its role is to provide recommendations that strengthen the Canal's competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability.
Source: Panama Canal
