Panama Canal Opens Second International Maintenance Congress

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) yesterday opened the Second International Maintenance Congress with the participation of 26 international and six local experts to promote reliability and sustainability in business practices, based on a maintenance culture.

“Maintenance has been fundamental for the Canal to operate as it does today, after more than 100 years in operation,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said during the opening remarks. “That is why we believe in promoting the importance of a culture of maintenance.”

The congress is held at the Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center in Panama City. During the three-day event, experts in the engineering and maintenance field will share their knowledge and expertise in maintenance management.

Speakers include Andrew Bailey (United States), Robert C. Patev (United States), Robert G. De Roos (Germany), Lourival Tavares (Brazil), Gerardo Trujillo (Mexico) and Julio Cesar Wagner (Colombia), among others.

The event also includes a technical tour during the last day in which participants will be able to experience first-had a dry-chamber overhaul and culvert maintenance at Miraflores Locks.

“The Panama Canal has a maintenance tradition, which it continues to strengthen with new initiatives to ensure that the waterway continues operating efficiently beyond those 100 years that it just celebrated this past August 15,” said Canal Administrator Quijano.

Quijano explained that the Panama Canal decided to host this congress for a second time to contribute its expertise in the area of maintenance, which improves a company’s reliability, productivity and profitability.

The Panama Canal invests annually approximately US$240 million in maintenance and equipment to continue providing an efficient service to the international maritime community.