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.