Panama Canal Authority to showcase expansion effort

The CEO of the Panama Canal, Administrator/CEO Alberto Aleman Zubieta, announced today that the Panama Canal Authority will host its first-ever best practices Engineering and Infrastructure Congress.

Convening this Congress is an effort to share best practices and detailed, practical, hands-on experience related to managing a significant infrastructure project. Occurring April 18-20, 2012 in Panama City, Panama, the congress will convene world-renowned experts in the fields of geotechnical, electrical, structural and civil engineering. In addition, it will showcase infrastructure projects from around the world and update attendees on the progress of the Canal Expansion Program.

Edgar Blanco, research director at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, told SCMR that Panama aspires to be a “logistical hub.”

“The entire Caribbean Basin will be transformed once the Canal is expanded,” he said.

The Panama Canal 2012 International Engineering and Infrastructure Congress will provide updated information on all of the elements of expansion, including the financing of the program. Three tracks comprised of engineering best practices, world infrastructure projects and future engineering trends will round out the agenda for the first two days.

Blanco, who also serves as the Executive Director of the MIT SCALE Network in Latin America said U.S. shippers may favor a “near shoring” manufacturing strategy in the region in the coming years.

“We already see that happening with pharma and electronics,” he said. “I expect to see much more once pending trade treaties are signed.”

On April 20, the ACP will invite participants to visit the Canal expansion sites and see the work firsthand.

In addition to the opportunities presented by Panama Canal representatives, Panamanian government officials will provide information on projects in Panama including the Biodiversity Museum designed by Frank Gehry, the local subway (Metro de Panama) and the coastal road (Cinta Costera).

At the international level, engineers will speak about lock design experience, planning prerequisites for successful projects and the latest design technology.

“For 97 years, the Panama Canal has served as a pathway for major world commodities. With the completion of the waterway’s expansion, it will become a game-changer in world trade dynamics,” said Aleman Zubieta. “This is a fundamental project of global importance. Expansion will change the way in which the world trades, increase the advantages of the route and reaffirm our commitment to the inter-oceanic waterway.”

Expansion involves building a new lane of traffic along the waterway through the construction of a new set of locks, which will allow more traffic and double Canal capacity. Expansion will tighten the global supply chain and help get goods to market faster, thus saving time and money for both producers and consumers.

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