THE Bank of America released a report entitled "Strong, Efficient & Profitable 每 Who Wouldn't Want to Own the Panama Canal?" that assessed the value of the waterway reported St Petersburg's PortNews.

It stressed its operational independence, neutrality, as well as the financial resilience and critical role it plays in global commerce. The reports also reviewed the challenges faced in the region in the past few years.

The bank stressed that the waterway was owned by the Government of Panama, but managed by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), which the report says has consistently invested in enhancing the capacity and operational efficiency of the waterway since Panama took control in 1999.

"The Panama Canal Authority has doubled the capacity with a US$5.25 billion expansion launched in 2008 and completed when neopanamax locks were inaugurated in 2016.

Investments have totalled $15 billion over the past 25 years including $10 billion in capital expenditures and $5 billion in operational and maintenance expenses," said the report.

It also said the ACP's commitment to operational efficiency and strategic investment is evidenced by its ability to adapt to ever evolving challenges. For instance, in response to the drought that impacted the canal's water levels, the report states that, "To safeguard against future water shortages, the Indio River project is advancing with expectations that it will match Alhajuela Lake in capacity.

"This initiative is part of a broader effort to restore and optimise the Panama Canal watershed, providing a more sustainable approach to water management. A community census is currently underway to assess resettlement needs, and the relocation process is expected to begin by the end of 2025."

In addition to its infrastructure investments, the ACP also maintains a transparent and market-driven toll system, according to the report. Tolls are determined by vessel type and industry segment, independent of nationality.