Canal pilots worried about low lake levels

The Panama Canal Pilots Union views the current situation of low water levels in the lakes with extreme concern Gatun and Alajuelaa product of climate change suffered by the hydrographic basin Panama Canal.

This crisis affects not only the operation of the waterway, but also the supply of drinking water to approximately 50% of the population of the provinces Panama, Panama Oeste and Colón.

For the association, despite the fact that these are events over which it cannot influence, the lack of interest of those responsible for making decisions and concrete actions that would avoid a major crisis for the Canal, such as the supply of drinking water, is unacceptable, since the management of the Panama Canal has already presented to the executive measures to be taken, but to this day he sees only inaction on his part.

“Allowing, due to laziness and lack of will, the main capital and resource of our country to be plunged into an unprecedented situation, which is an attack on operational continuity and its profitability, will have major medium and long-term consequences for the Canal de svi Panamaci,” it added. in the press release.

They point out that the international maritime industry has been informed by the administration about the water saving measures that will be implemented for the dry period, for now until the month of February. However, they wonder what will happen in March and April, considering that the first rains have been announced for the beginning of May.

Given this scenario, they said yes The authorities are alarmingly silent and they do not seem to measure the negative effect that public finances will have from the significant loss of revenue that the Panama Canal will no longer provide.

The Panama Canal pilots have indicated that they are aware that the country is going through very difficult times, but, for the reasons stated, they have responsibly expressed that our main capital is threatened and that we will not be complicit in such an injury to the nation.

The time to make decisions is now, not tomorrow. Do we want to guarantee the population the availability of drinking water supplied from Alajuela and Gatún lakes? Do we want to maintain the profitability of the Channel? Do we want it to continue working continuously? Do we want it to continue providing resources to the Panamanian people?

“We wish, therefore we reiterate to the Panamanian people and the international maritime community, that we will maintain our commitment to the safe and expeditious transit of ships,” they conclude.