The Panama Canal began on April 26 the process of decarbonizing its operations, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

To begin the transition, the Panama Canal incorporated four electric cars, as part of a pilot project to collect enough data to migrate its fleet to vehicles that do not use fossil fuels.

The strategic decarbonization plan also includes tugboats and boats that use alternative fuels, the replacement of electricity production processes in favor of photovoltaic plants, the use of hydraulic energy and ensuring that all infrastructure facilities and projects are environmentally responsible and sustainable. .

The interoceanic highway indicated that it has also taken measures in search of maximizing its operational and environmental efficiency, implementing water conservation actions and optimizing traffic.

Through the Panama Single Maritime Window (VUMPA), the efficiency and carbon footprint of transshipment procedures has been improved by streamlining logistics paperwork for international clients transiting the country, saving up to 3,260 hours and more than 300,000 printed forms per year .

The interoceanic highway also signed on April 22 the Declaration of "The First 50 Carbon-Neutral Organizations", an initiative led by the Ministry of the Environment of Panama (MiAmbiente) aimed at integrating efforts to accelerate climate and measurable actions with a view to achieving the carbon neutrality in 2050.

As part of the new national initiative, the Panama Canal will develop an annual GHG inventory, as well as an action plan with measurable objectives to reduce its emissions.

The efforts of the Panama Canal will be considered as part of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in compliance with the Paris Agreement.

Ricaurte Vásquez, administrator of the interoceanic highway, said that efforts to minimize the environmental impact of the Canal already include encouraging customers to use clean fuels and reduce their carbon footprint.

“At the Panama Canal we are committed to sustainability, and therefore, we are laying the foundations, creating the tools and identifying the necessary changes to generate efficiencies that will allow us, as an organization, to achieve carbon neutrality. This strategy is essential for the long-term operation and sustainability of the Canal,” said Vásquez.

The Panama Canal also indicated that its efforts include the “Green Connection” Environmental Recognition Program, through which it offers the Green Connection and the Environmental Premium Ranking (EPR), which highlight clients who demonstrate an excellent role in environmental administration, including the use of low carbon fuels and environmentally conscious routes, giving you priority quotas.

As an improvement to this program, the Panama Canal analyzes taking into account in its strategy of dynamic prices the technology of the ships and their carbon footprint, which makes them more efficient during transit.

On the other hand, the Panama Canal highlighted that it also promotes the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to minimize the environmental impact of the transportation industry, from the implementation of the IMO 2020 regulation, to its traffic separation schemes and vessel speed reduction programs.

By supporting this, the Canal helps operators reduce the risk of colliding with cetaceans migrating near the interoceanic highway, while reducing the emission of GHG and polluting gases by an average of 75%, depending on the type, size and fuel used by each vessel.