Panama Canal, Curaçao Ports Partnership

On February 4, Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) General Managing Director Richard Julius López Ramírez signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly foster commercial activity between the two entities. Renewable on a two-year basis, the MOU aims to generate new business in tourism and trade for each country’s continued economic growth.

As part of the MOU, the ACP and CPA will undertake a series of activities to promote the oceanic exchange of goods including joint advertisements, data interchange and competitive market analyses of the shipping industry. In addition, the ACP and CPA will share information on their latest advancements, such as modernization efforts and personnel training programs. As the Panama Canal continues its Expansion Program, Curaçao is working toward increasing capacity to meet the needs of its customers.

“With direct links to major markets and telecommunications infrastructure, the Port of Willemstad – Curaçao’s largest port – is at the center of the CPA’s capital improvement plan. We now look forward to the opportunities this MOU will bring for both entities, as we constantly work to enhance our services,” said Mr. López Ramírez, general managing director of CPA. “One of the Caribbean’s most developed and organized ports, Curaçao continues to maximize its strategic location, offering the region's largest dry dock, modern cruise terminals and a state-of-the-art mega cruise facility,” said Mr. Agustín Diaz, managing director of CPA.

Slated for completion in 2014, the Panama Canal expansion project will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships.