Happy New Year!

Greetings,

 

Happy New Year!   ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!  C Hoвым Годом!

 

 

See you in Panama soon!

 

Best wishes,

Juliette & the NY - Panama Team

Happy New Year!

Greetings,

 

Happy New Year!   ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!  C Hoвым Годом!

REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AT THE PANAMA CANAL

THE WHITE HOUSE 

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

November 19, 2013

 

REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

AT THE PANAMA CANAL  

                                   

 Panama Canal, Panama

photos by Juliette Passer 

4:15 P.M. EST

 

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Mr. President, distinguished guests, and to the 9,500 workers who are expanding this Canal, on behalf of the United States of America, thank you.  Thank you for what you're doing.

 

I've been traveling up and down the East Coast of the United States and into the heart of the Midwest of our country and down to the Gulf of Mexico, telling the American people that something big is happening here in Panama that will have a profound effect on the economy of the United States of America.  By the widening and deepening of the Panama Canal, you're making not only a major investment, Mr. President, in your company's future -- your country's future, but in my country's future.  You're providing a service not only to the Panamanian people but the United States, the hemisphere and the entire world. 

 

I came here today from the Port of Houston in the state of Texas.  In 1956, the world's first container ship, the Ideal X, sailed into the Port of Houston.  Instead of sacks and crates and boxes carried neatly in the hull of the ship, on top of that ship were stacked containers on its deck.  In an instant, the shipping costs for a ton of cargo were reduced by 97 percent.  It changed global commerce. 

 

What you're doing here today, and what my colleagues and I are witnessing, is going to change global commerce.  It's shifting once again.  A new generation of massive vessels, known as post-Panamax ships, are able to carry twice or even three times as many containers as what has come before.  These ships are wider, longer, and their drafts are deeper.

 

I just looked at "the old Canal."  It can accommodate a 106-foot-wide ship.  The Canal being built here will accommodate 160-foot-wide ships.  The arrival of these new ships presents an opportunity for countries to transport goods more cheaply than ever before.  But it's also a challenge for all of us in the rest of the world to modernize to accommodate the infrastructure that you're building here, Mr. President.

 

People use the phrase all the time, "it's a global economy."  I'm not sure they fully understand that exactly, it is a global economy.  Seventy-five percent of all the commerce in the world as I speak is floating somewhere in the ocean as I speak, containing 75 percent of the world's commerce.  And what you're doing here in Panama is a next level -- is taking commerce to a brand-new level. 

 

That’s exactly what Panama is doing right now.  The Canal has two lanes that cannot handle these post-Panamax ships -- but not for long.  By the end of 2015, these massive new locks will open and be able to accommodate ships with 50-foot drafts, not 39.5; 1,200-feet long, not 965-feet long; 160-feet wide, not 106-feet wide.  The Panama Canal Authority estimates that it will double the amount of cargo -- double the amount of cargo -- that passes through this Canal now by the year 2015. 

And I'm here with my colleagues -- the Mayor of Atlanta, the Mayor of Baltimore, the Mayor of Philadelphia, and, ladies and gentlemen, the Senator from the state of a little old port called Savannah in the state of Georgia, and the Mayor from that state, and our Secretary of Transportation -- because it affects -- it will affect drastically, what's happening here, their communities, their people.  And it's going to require us to invest in 21st infrastructure like you're doing.

 

And I'm here because I believe that the cutting-edge Panama Canal and the investments that it inspires and the trade that it will make possible can be part of the story of the economic continued revival of the United States of America and the hemisphere. 

 

It's no secret that in 2008, the United States and the world went through a heck of a difficult time -- the greatest recession in our history short of a depression.  But we fought our way back.  U.S. businesses have created 7.8 million new jobs in the last 44 months.  Manufacturing is coming back to the United States.  We've created 500,000 new manufacturing jobs.  Our auto manufacturers have created an additional 325,000 jobs.  We now produce more natural gas than any country on Earth.  And for the first time, we've imported less oil than we have consumed -- than we produce in the United States. 

 

The reason I bother to say this is that the next phase here, the next phase is to take advantage of what this new commerce will do.  We know in America these representatives, Democrat and Republican, know in my home state, my states, they understand that manufacturers locate where they can cheaply, efficiently and economically get their cargo to a worldwide market. 

 

We still have a way to go in the United States, but we've made significant progress.  Our companies are competing, exporting to every country, every corner of the world.  And we're once again an engine of economic growth with the potential to create a next generation of good-paying jobs, as the jobs you're providing here are, Mr. President.

 

You've weathered that worldwide recession in part because of this bold commitment you and your people have made.  And we're ready for the new Panama Canal to contribute to our economic renewal as well.  And your project is profoundly in the interest of my country.  Two-thirds of everything that passes through the Panama Canal is either coming from or going to the United States of America.  So when the Canal doubles its capacity, the United States has a potential to expand exports at a considerably lower cost and considerably higher volume. 

 

So if we make the right investments at home, we will allow the United States ports to handle larger ships coming through this modernized Canal.  When exports can carry two to three times more in each container ship, that saves business.  That saves money.  That saves shipping costs.  That saves fuel.  And it makes manufacturers and farmers in America more competitive. 

 

For example, one-third of the U.S. grain and soybean exports travel through your canal.  By one estimate, each bushel will be about 35 percent -- 35 cents cheaper because of this Canal, making American farmers even more competitive. 

 

Building up our ports to handle the increased cargo will also create jobs for longshoreman, construction workers, engineers and others, dredging ports, widening docks, building new storage, also having intermodal changes in our railroads, in our Interstate Highway System. 

 

So I'm here with a simple, Mr. President, but heartfelt message to the people of Panama:  Thank you.  Thank you for having the courage to embark on this significant adventure here.

 

After telling so many others about the new and improved Panama Canal that's emerging, I decided, and my colleagues, that we've got to come down and see it for ourselves.  Instead of preaching to the choir, we wanted to be with the choir.  We wanted to make sure we saw it.  And I brought with me our Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx; Georgia Senator -- one of the leading members of the United States Senate -- Johnny Isakson, representing the Port of Savannah, which, I might add, is responsible for more than $67 billion in economic activity and supports 350,000 full-time and part-time jobs across the state of Georgia, including in the city of Atlanta, it's largest city. 

 

The Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is here with me today as well, because it affects the standard of living in his city.  Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, she represents ports bringing more than 400,000 jobs to Floridians.  Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, where her port sends $22 billion in U.S. goods around the world with the label "Made In America" on them.  And Mayor Michael Nutter of my adopted hometown -- more than 2 million tons a year of containerized cargo pass through the Port of Philadelphia.  All of that, all of them have the ability to profoundly expand employment and income for their states. 

 

So, Mr. President, you may be surprised to learn that you have fans far afield.  You found out today, in Baltimore, Maryland; and Atlanta, Georgia; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; in South Florida.  Today -- I hope I don’t get you in trouble, Mr. President, but today, as we left our bilateral meeting, we then had an expanded meeting with my colleagues.  And I turned around as we were leaving and I wondered where the President was -- the President was surrounded by each of my colleagues bidding for him -- please come to Philadelphia, please come to Baltimore, please come to Atlanta.  (Laughter.)  I’m serious.

 

     So I just want to say to the people of Panama, this is a very important thing for the United States.  This new and improved Canal will also benefit Panama, to state the obvious, bringing an economic windfall in the form of greater revenue.  It will help Panama remain an indispensable part of the global economy. 

 

And as the energy production throughout the Americas grows, Panama is going to play a critical role in bridging energy supplies in the Atlantic with a growing demand in the Pacific.  This is good business.  This is good for Panama.  And it’s clear that the world of opportunity is available to those willing to make the necessary investments to compete in the 21st century. 

 

Panama is making that investment, and the United States has to do the same now.  We’re ready.  When the United States passed what we call in the States the Recovery Act, it included $48 billion in new infrastructure -- the largest public works project in America since the construction of the Interstate Highway System.  Each port, though, has different needs.  There are different places.  Bridges need to be made higher.  Wharfs need to be made longer.  Berths need to be made wider.  Water needs to be dredged.  Communities across our country are working to address these problems, and through federal grants, we’re working to modernize state and public funding. 

 

     That $48 billion the federal government supplied generated well over $150 billion in private investment and state investment.  The $10 billion [sic] we invested in one of the ports generated in that port another $80 million. 

 

So, folks, look, this is about the totality of how our infrastructure connects.  As Secretary Foxx says, it’s about the first mile and the last mile of infrastructure that gets American exports from the factory floor to the decks of ships.  For example, it’s about how a rail line in Ohio connects shipping to the Port of Baltimore.  That’s why we put in $50 million in investment and it generated multifold in that in terms of being able to have access to the ports.

      In conclusion, Mr. President, let me say what I’ve said to you privately on other occasions and I say publicly:  We thank the people of Panama.  And I want you to know, speaking for President Obama and myself, the day is long passed when America looks out and saw a backyard.  This is no backyard.  This is the yard -- this is the front yard.  The hemisphere is growing. 

 

For the first time in history, you can picture from Canada to the tip of Argentina a hemisphere that is democratic, middle-class, secure, as the leading engine of economic growth in the world in the 21st century.  And Panama will play a critical part in that.

     So, Mr. President, it’s not what we can do for you -- what you’re doing for us and what we can do with you.  The historic expansion of the Canal that is underway shows how strong Panama is and the pure self-interest of the United States of America.  You’re a powerful symbol of Panama’s success, Mr. President, and it’s a reminder that our futures, the United States and Panama and this hemisphere, are inextricably linked. 

 

Your work on this Canal strengthens my country.  We owe you.  We thank you.  May God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.  Thank you all very much.  (Applause.)

 

                        END           

4:35 P.M. EST

 

Panama Presidential Candidates 2014

Greetings from Panama,

As the primaries drew to a close in Panama, Panama Presidential Candidates 2014 are: 

Juan Carlos Varela,  (born December 12, 1963) of the Panameñista Party, the second-largest in Panama;

José Domingo Arias, (born on 26 October 1963) of the Cambio Democrático; and

Juan Carlos Navarro, (born October 19, 1961) of the Partido Revolucionario Democratico (PRD).

Pacific Alliance (Alianza del Pacífico) is second largest user of the Panama Canal

Pacific Alliance, composed of Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia, is currently ranked as the second largest user of the Panama Canal.


"Separately, Chile is the third, followed by  Colombia as sixth, Peru is eighth and Mexico is ninth, but collectively they  are the seconds largest  user," said Mr. Arosemena in a forum on the prospects of joining  that group, organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo).

       Photo by Juliette Passer, 2013

Recent figures from the Panama Canal Authority indicted that the main user of the Canal is the United States with 143.5 million tons and the second busiest is China with 52 million annually, but according to Mr. Arosemena, the Pacific Alliance, collectively, exceeds China.

"The Pacific Alliance is all about regional integration that is booming not only in Latin America but worldwide," said Arosemena.

The group emerged in April of 2011 in order to achieve trade integration agreements based on free exchange of goods between its members.

Currently, Costa Rica and Panama are observers and candidates to join after completing several processes, including trade pacts with each other.

Arosemena said that Costa Rica has already completed trade negotiations, while Panama has yet to sign with Colombia and just last week held the first round of negotiations with Mexico.

The Panamanian official indicated that for Panama it is important to join to provide an important platform for managing logistics for trade; besides the canal, citing the existence of a trans-isthmus railway communicating with dynamic ports on both coasts.

 

 

According to the latest AmericasBarometer survey, the Panama Canal Authority is considered one of the most trusted institutions in Panama.

According to the latest AmericasBarometer survey, the Panama Canal Authority is considered one of the most trusted institutions in Panama.

The survey is coordinated by Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Panama Canal has a 69.8% trust index, right below the Catholic and Evangelist Church.

“We feel proud that Panamanians trust in the Panama Canal Authority’s workforce. They make this accomplishment possible,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said. “Our commitment is to continue improving the Panama Canal’s service to the maritime industry, which will benefit our country.”

For more interesting data, visit:  http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights2013.php

Panama Canal Additions to the Tug Fleet for Expansion in 2015

The Panama Canal has increased its tugboat fleet with the arrival of the first two of 14 tugboats that will improve the waterway’s resources to offer a safer and more efficient service to the global shipping industry. These tugboats will strengthen the Canal’s capacity for the operation of the Third Set of Locks.

photo by Juliette Passer

“These new tugboats will allow the Panama Canal to continue offering a world-class service,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quiijano said. “They will help us prepare to face the challenge of operating the new set of locks with the same efficiency.”

Quijano explained that the update to the Panama Canal tugboat fleet began in 2001, when the waterway had 20 tugs. Currently, the Panama Canal has 39 and by the end of next year and after retiring those tugs reaching the end of their lifespan, the Panama Canal will have a fleet of 44 tugboats to face the operational demands of the current and expanded Canal.

The additional capacity will allow assisting Post-Panamax vessels that will be transiting the expanded Canal, which will not require the use of locomotives used in the existing locks.

Panama Canal Implements Just-in-Time Service Trial Period

Panama City, Panama, May 30, 2013 - Continuing its commitment to provide a quality service to its customers, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has implemented the just-in-time service (JIT) that will allow vessels to have a more efficient transit. The new service will allow the vessels to arrive at the Panama Canal much closer to their scheduled transit time. This value-added service will allow vessels to have a more efficient fuel usage by having to remain at anchor for less time before actually beginning transit.

"This new service is part of our efforts to explore new options in order to better serve our customers," Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said. "The Panama Canal is not only committed to maintaining a high quality service, but also improve in the necessary areas."

The participation on this trial period will focus on vessels equipped with a type A Automatic Identification System (AIS) device. In order to evaluate the operational feasibility of the service, a proof-of-concept trial was developed and is being implemented since February 2013.

Requirements

In order for this service to be functional for both the Canal and its clients, the vessels' arrival time (ETA) must be as accurate as possible. The vessel must be willing and able to adjust its itinerary to meet the required ETA. Furthermore, the vessels must comply with the ACP pre-inspection procedures.

To achieve an effective level of JIT service, the selected vessels will be notified approximately 96 hours prior to their scheduled transit of their required ETA and tentative transit time. The Panama Canal will then use Satellite Automatic Identification System (SAIS) technology to track the vessels within a range of 2,000 nautical miles (1 nautical mile = 1,852 meters) before arrival and ensure that they can comply with the stipulated ETA. Additionally:

Non-booked vessels may request to participate in the JIT service; however, participation will be confirmed after securing a booking slot for that specific transit date. If the booking slot is not obtained, the vessel will not be allowed to participate in the JIT service.

 

Two JIT service slots per day will be offered to regular vessels (under 27.74 meters or 91 feet in beam) without transit restrictions, with a maximum of one JIT service slot per direction. The allocation of these JIT service slots will be determined by the order the requests were received.

Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady” died on Monday, aged 87, after suffering a stroke.

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money," she once said.

Her personal credo, founded on competition, private enterprise, thrift and self-reliance, gave birth to a political philosophy known as "Thatcherism".  We certainly could use some of her philosophy at home nowadays. I was a huge admirer of hers.

Gorgeous Yoo and Arts Towers in Panama City finally nearly finished.

Gorgeous Yoo and Arts Towers in Panama City finally nearly finished.

Panama Canal reaches major milestone

The Panama Canal Authority has announced that it has reached a major milestone in the expansion of the facility having carried out over half of the envisaged improvements.

Photo by Juliette Passer

"The program continues to progress and reach milestones while we focus the next phases on building the locks," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. "We estimate based on the progress that we can begin commercial transits mid-2015," he said.

Once completed, the Panama Canal expansion, which is the largest project in its history, will double the waterway's capacity and allow for the passage of longer, wider vessels.
Meanwhile, the excavation of the Pacific lock access channel, involving the removal of more than 50 million cubic meters of materials along a 6.1km span, is 70% complete.

Happy New Year! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! C Hoвым Годом!

    Photo by Juliette Passer, 2012

Make it the best one yet!