ACP Hosts Maritime Event

In March, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) held a panel to discuss ways the global maritime community can adopt “more sustainable practices” to deliver on its commitments to reducing carbon emissions, the local authority said. The event gathered a number of international experts, including Dr. Alkut Olcer, World Maritime University Professor, and Dr. Jose Matheickal from the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Marine Environment Division – in Panama for the Canal-sponsored Latin America Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre inauguration, ACP said. Canal executives including Deputy Administrator Manuel Benítez; Executive Vice President of Environment, Water and Energy Carlos Vargas; and Environmental Protection Specialist Alexis Rodriguez also joined the event. They discussed, among other topics, the obstacles shippers and maritime officials face as they seek to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as the opportunities arising from the canal’s shorter route and “Green Connection” initiatives. “Our customers know that, as long as they prefer the Panama Canal route to transit their cargo, they will avoid lengthy distances, save time, consume less fuel and therefore emit less greenhouse gases (GHG) or carbon dioxide (CO2),” Vargas said, when commenting on the event.