Panama Canal Advisory Board meets with Board of Directors members

The Panama Canal Authority held its 37th annual meeting with the Advisory Board, a key event that strengthens strategic decision making and the sustainability of the Panama Canal.

The meeting, held last week in Panama City, brought together the Minister of Canal Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jose Ramón Icaza, as well as the board members: Laury Melo de Alfaro, Nelson Jackson, Oscar Ramírez, Nicolás González Revilla, Jorge González, Enrique Sánchez, Dora Perez Balladares, Francisco Sierra, Luis Navas P., and Ricardo Manuel Arango.

During the session, the discussion focused on important development issues which will ensure the sustainability and continuous growth of the interoceanic waterway, while addressing with special attention those related to water projects.

The Panama Canal Authority Advisory Board, established in December 1999 under the Panama Canal Organic Law (Law 19 of 1997), serves as a high-level consultative body, primarily responsible for providing strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors and the canal’s administration.

They play a crucial role in the financial health of the Panama Canal by advising on key decisions to ensure the canal’s competitiveness in the global market, the long-term sustainability of its operations, and the optimization of its resources. The Advisory Board is made up of experts from various sectors such as transportation, global trade, telecommunications, construction, banking, and academia.

Under the oversight of board president Admiral William J. Flanagan, an expert with a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy and NATO, the board includes prominent professionals such as Flemming R. Jacobs, Gerhard Kurz, Salvador A. Jurado, Mario F. Maffei, Hani Mahmassani, Joe R. Reeder, Richard Gabrielson, Anthony Chiarello, Andrónico Luksic Craig, Han Kyu Lim, Patrick J. Murphy, Albert H. Nahmad, Mikio Sasaki, Tommy Thomsen, Wang Haimin, and Eman Abdalla (the first woman to be appointed to the Advisory Board since its inception).

Each of these advisors brings a deep understanding of the global and local dynamics directly impacting the canal and helps to retain its strategic position in international trade.

The Advisory Board provides guidance on operational and financial matters, as well as the implementation of policies to ensure the economic prosperity and continued success of the interoceanic waterway. The recommendations generated during these meetings are essential for ensuring that the Panama Canal remains a key asset to the global economy, maximizing its profitability and operational efficiency.

The sessions of the Advisory Board, together with the Board of Directors, also provided an occasion to present the Panama Canal Award to Gerhard Kurz, who has participated in 35 of the 37 meetings since 1999, being one of the founding members of this Advisory Board.