The water challenge for the Panama Canal operations has taken on a critical focus, focusing on the growing concern about the population’s drinking water consumption and canal operations. This issue transcends the country’s borders due to the interoceanic route’s commitment to global maritime trade, which imminently affects its credibility and should prompt the national government to begin with the solution and address it immediately.
In light of the meeting between the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, and the Board of Directors and administration of the ACP, the Panama Canal pilots maintain that the national government should reconsider working simultaneously on some of the most pressing problems that they have already identified, one of which is to confront the water crisis that the canal has gone through and implement as soon as possible the measures that guarantee a sustainable supply of drinking water, essential for both the life of the population, as well as raw water for the operations of the waterway.
“It is vital that all actors involved in this process, from the government, authorities, workers and the community, work together to ensure that the canal remains a symbol of trust and efficiency,” reiterated Capt. Adrian Ossa, president of the Association and Union of Panama Canal Pilots.
For this organization, raising awareness about the importance of sustainable water management is not only imperative for future generations, but will also ensure that the Panama Canal continues to be one of the main maritime transit routes in the world. “It is time to act and prioritize a resource as vital as water for the benefit of all Panamanians. In a few months, another dry season is coming and beyond that, in 2027, another El Niño phenomenon will come, the forecast of which could have a greater impact on the basin,” said Ossa.
