The Panama Canal Authority plans to launch a gas pipeline from the Gulf of Mexico to restore transit

The Panama Canal Authority has announced the implementation of an infrastructure project — the construction of a pipeline from the Gulf of Mexico, which will significantly improve transit figures and strengthen the canal's logistical role in global trade.

In 2024, due to severe drought and declining water levels, ship transit through the Panama Canal decreased by 65%, jeopardizing the effectiveness of the waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The introduction of the new pipeline is envisioned as a key solution to restore stable transportation and increase the volume of traffic passing through the canal.

It is expected that a final decision on the construction of the pipeline will be made by the summer of 2025. The introduction of this project coincides with the anticipated normalization of canal transit by 2025, aided by the resumption of consistent rainfall and rising water levels in the lakes necessary for lock navigation.

Currently, the main transit through the canal consists of vessels from the United States (approximately 75%), as well as from China, South Korea, and Chile. The Panama Canal, marking over 111 years of operation in 2025, continuously increases its capacity, expands locks, and develops technical infrastructure aimed at environmental sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.

The pipeline project will be part of strategic initiatives to develop Panama's transportation and logistics sector, linking the energy corridor with new port terminals and strengthening water supply. The canal administration emphasizes that all projects are aimed at long-term sustainability and enhancing Panama's competitiveness in the global shipping market.