Panama America News:

Oceanographic Center Researcher Attends Sponge Taxonomy Workshop in Panama

Jose Lopez, Ph.D.

Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center professor and researcher Jose Lopez, Ph.D., attended a workshop on sponge taxonomy at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Bocas Del Toro, Panama from Aug. 5 to 11. This is part of the current National Science Foundation project to place sponges on the Tree of Life (www.portol.org), and looks to integrate morphological and molecular data for a better understanding of sponge evolutionary relationships.

Crop Duster airplane crashes in Chepo, Panama

Panama America News:

Crop Duster airplane crashes in Chepo, no injuries

27 | 08 | 2012 By Editor / Web

The pilot of an aircraft engaged in crop spraying, was unhurt.

HP 1739 CE plane is injured in Chepo, Panama. Photo / Jesus Simmons

HP 1739 CE The plane crashed on the morning of Monday, August 27, iin Chepo, no casualties according to reports, the incident occurred When a bird (parrot) was ingested into the ventilation system of the ship forcing the pilot, Juan Carlos Espino, 47, to land the crop duster airplane in a rice paddie. DESPITE the significant damage to the airplane, the pilot survived. Simmons standing With Jesus

More on Frank Gehry's Biodiversity Museum in Amador, Panama

Frank Gehry Designs Biodiversity Museum For Panama

August 24, 2012

Photo: Victoria Murillo/Istmophoto.com/Biomuseo
Frank Gehry’s Museum of Biodiversity is currently under construction near the Pacific entrance of the Panama canal. The building features crinkled rooftops in a plethora of bright colors, visually suggesting diversity and the colorful flora and fauna of the world’s tropical regions. The museum also includes a series of gardens and biospheres by Bruce Mau Design, marking a wonderful integration of landscape with the built environment.
The museum pays homage to the isthmus of Panama, a geographic feature responsible for a large amount of biodiversity. The landbridge connects two previously separate continents, North and South America, and allowed the passage of land-based lifeforms between the two. It also is responsible for closing the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean, allowing the Gulf Stream to operate. The Museum’s visitor’s center, where the curious can view plans and models of the building, is open daily.






Images by Frank Gehry/Bruce Mau Design

How Panama hats are made

How Panama hats are made

by Brent Black, here is a little background on the craft involved in making them.

The making of a hat begins with the farming of cogollos: long stiff green spikes of plant that, if left to mature, will open up into a spread of palm leaves about a metre wide. The straws that the weaver wants are the youngest, most undeveloped leaf shoots in the centre of these spikes. To get to them, he must first pick the right cogollos (at the right point of development) and then peel back the tough outer layer and a few tougher shoots, revealing a long, pale-coloured fan in the middle. Even the edges of this accordion are a little too tough, and so he uses the tip of a deer antler to slice them off, leaving a few dozen long, tender strips to work with.

Although pale, the strips (tallos) are still definitely green, vegetal and leaf-like at this stage. It is only several stages of sulphur application, including two smokings and a lot of beating, that give the hat the creamy colour we associate with panamas. First, though, they must be boiled: curled up into a black pot and stirred over a fire. Thus cooked, they are hung up outside the houses – on washing lines if the sun is not too strong, otherwise in the shade. As many of the houses in Montecristi are on stilts, they can even be hung up underneath.

Next, one of the more unhealthy stages of panama hat-making. The tallos are placed in a white wooden box – similar in size and structure to a bee hive – and burning sulphur placed underneath it. Hot coals keep the sulphur smoking and it runs up through the box, bleaching the straws to the colour we readily associate with panama hats.  

The actual weaving of a hat begins with the creation of a small central rosette, with four pairs of straws being interwoven on the fingers of a weaver and gradually expanded with the addition of more straws to create a plantilla – a circle of tightly woven straw as big as a large coin. You can always tell a weaver’s hands because he has long, carefully maintained thumbnails. They are used to split the straws prior to weaving, creating exactly the right thickness and length.

Then the other unhealthy bit. When the plantilla is as big as the top of a hat, it is placed on a wooden block or form, which sits on a wooden platform at about waist height. The weaver bends over and places his chest on top of the block, holding the hat in place as he continues to weave the hat around the edges, bending the edge down over the wooden form. Those extended periods of pressure on the chest are not good for weavers, but thankfully there is more awareness than there once was and they take regular breaks.  

When the crown is big enough and it’s time to start weaving the brim, a leather strap is tied tightly around the bottom of the hat. The weaver then starts weaving outwards and, when he is finished, leaves five or six inches of excess straw around the edges. He does not finish the brim; that is the job of a rematadora, a specialised job that involves weaving the straws back again, towards the crown, in order to create a loose band around the outside. Even the final tightening is done by someone else, the azocador. And the cortador trims off the loose ends. After washing and bleaching (more sulphur), it’s over to the apaleador to pound the hats with a wooden mallet, to soften them.  

The apaleador’s job is my favourite. It is his strong-armed work that produces the characteristic colour of the panamas we know, as he hammers them and regularly sprinkles sulphur powder on and between the hats. The contrast between the delicate weaving and the brutal force of the apaleador is striking. It also shows how fragile raw materials can be woven into something that is pliable and strong.

Brent and his colleagues in Montecristi pick the hats they want, going for a range but always including the very best few. Brent then blocks them all himself in Hawaii, which is almost as admirable a craft as the weaving. It’s what creates the perfect fit, which if you have a long, large head like me, is a godsend.

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Tuesday Aug 28 seminar information

Announcing the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Tuesday afternoon seminar for August 28, 2012 at 4:00 pm in the Earl S. Tupper auditorium:  

Speaker: Lou Santiago, University of California at Riverside

Title:  Does nutrient limitation mediate the responses of tropical forest to climate change? 

Upcoming seminars:  

September 4:  Michael Caldwell, STRI

Title to be announced

September 11:  Nancy Knowlton, Smithsonian Institution

Title to be announced

September 18:  Jordan Mayor

Panama museums budget problems

Panama museum budget problems  Panama America News:

FYI See following news on Penonome below, see if you can find that lady's info again & I will try to contact her once more?:

Panama museum budget problems  Panama America News:

Low budget slows restoration work in museums

20 | 08 | 2012

The company aims to achieve a larger budget for next year and to respond to all museums. In five of these sites, declared patrimony of the Nation, performed various repairs.

Melchizedek Quintero (melquisedec.quintero @ epasa.com) / PANAMA AMERICA

declaratory sites

• [B] sites declared by the DNPH [/ B] can be buildings with historical value.

• Supported values ​​must come from the community.

• The application is submitted to the Director General of INAC.

• There is analyzed and then forwarded to the Committee on Culture of the Assembly.

Figures delas restorations

5

• Museums restores the Heritage History nationwide.

650

• A thousand dollars was spent in 2012 to start the restoration of these sites.

7

• Millions of dollars was the budget allocated to INAC in 2012.

The heritage of a country is part of the memory of a nation and its faithful preservation helps keep its secrets and history intact. In that sense, Panama holds within its territory a number of sites that have been declared historical patrimony of the Nation.

This large number of sites, the Heritage History of the National Institute of Culture, through a budget of only $ 650,000, began work on major structures such as the Museum of Religious Art, the Museum of History, the Museum Park The Archaeological Museum Nancito and Art History and José de Obaldia Orejuela, the latter two located in the province of Chiriqui. In total, the INAC manages about 18 museums nationwide.

On the low budget allocated for these activities, the Directorate of Cultural Heritage said that next year it aspires to achieve even greater than the budget this year in order to respond to the other museums in the country and continue with the works already begun.

Similarly, work on achieving contributions of private enterprise to achieve the community's commitment to care for and safeguard both museums and other historic sites and monuments that make up the inventory of movable property, the preservation of which is the responsibility of the institution, according to reports.

Points.
At the Museum of Religious Art, located in the village of San Felipe, Panama Province, is performed clearing and construction of new roof, plus floor shift, and the restoration of the altar of the Virgin of the Rosary, this Finally at an approximate cost of $ 90,000.

Meanwhile, in the Chiriqui province began the first stage of rehabilitation of the Museum of History and Art Obaldía Jose Orejuela, this involves maintenance activities of the joint structures (walls, floor, vertical and horizontal structures, stairs and balconies floors, plus removal of the plumbing and electrical).

In the same province, in the Archaeological Museum Nancito Park, located in the district of Remedios, are done cleaning, painting and replaced the real estate for the display of the pieces are housed there.

Meanwhile, at the Museum of Penonomé, located in the San Antonio, Penonomé, Cocle province, an agreement was signed between the Directorate of History and Heritage Minera Panama to this fund works including roofing and windows, bathrooms, walls, doors and floors. The work would last for four months with an investment of 83 thousand 500 dollars.

This agreement will allow the physical redevelopment of the site that consists of a set of buildings and houses typical of the Panamanian countryside. This museum is one of the most representative of the region because it preserves cultural elements and materials that give physiognomy.

Ancon Theater Guilds current production (live theater)

Ancon Theater Guild (since 1950):
Current Production: (Deep Fried Comedy) Show dates: August 23, 24, 25, 31 & September 1, 6, 7 & 8 at 8:00 p.m.
For reservations send an email to tgapanama@gmail.comTickets: $15.00
For details see: http://www.anconguild.com/

American Society of Panama September EVENT

American Society of Panama September EVENT

TIME:  7:00 p.m.

DATE:  Thursday, September 13^th

LOCATION:  Beirut Restaurant Amador

TICKETS:  $35.00 Members, $45.00 Non-Members

Appetizers:  Hummus, Kibbe Frito, Esfija, Babaganouch, Papa Picante, Labne, Tabule, Pan Pita, Sambusek de Queso, Falafel

Entree:  Mixed Meat Platter (Lamb, Chicken and Beef), Rice and Salad.

Dinner will be served family style and all meals include one beverage (soft drink, lemonade, juice or glass of sangria), dessert and hot tea.   Cash Bar.

 

ENTERTAINMENT:  Belly Dancer Show

For additional information contact american.society.panama@gmail.com

Coronado Beach area UPCOMING EVENTS

Coronado Beach area (a little over one hour drive west of Panama City) UPCOMING EVENTS
-------------------------------

Line Dancing - This Friday Aug 17 and every  Friday at Paraiso Bar & Restaurant*** in Las Uvas.
Live Cuban Band - Trio Caribe on Saturday Aug 18 at Mama Mia. 
Playacommunity Mixer - Wednesday Aug. 22 is the Playacommunity mixer at Picasso Bar and Restaurant in Coronado.
Playa Party - Saturday Aug. 25 begins at 8:00p.m. at Picasso. Dance the night away with Electo DJ's Orleez & Bruno
Sunday Brunch – Sunday Aug 26 at Paraiso***
Playacommunity Business Breakfast – Friday Sep 7.  Network with business professionals, entrepreneurs and owners. Tanya Coronado from PTY Lawyers will be talking about the new immigration visa, which is connected to businesses.
*** Paraiso is about 3 kilometers north of the Pan American highway on the road to El Valle.

Atlantic side new locks construction viewing area opened in August

News Room Panama:

Visitor center to view canal expansion locks is open

Wednesday, 15 August 2012 18:10

  

The Panama Canal Expansion Center in Colon opened on August 15 and is awaiting your visit to see the construction of the world’s biggest locks.
This is a work conceived so that visitors can "witness the construction of the third set of locks," says Sixta Diaz, manager of the Visitor Centers Unit of the Canal Authority (ACP)  the new center is a more environmentally friendly than the  viewpoints of Gatun and Miraflores, and is built on an elevated site in the midst  of the jungle area east of  the construction  project but visitors will be able to see progress on  the monumental infrastructure.
Diaz says that since the start of the  expansion project in September 2007, she has not stopped receiving applications for visitors, groups or individuals who want to see the development of the new locls  without affecting the operation  of the canal.
To date, the expansion program as a whole has progressed 43% and according to the original schedule should be completed in October 2014. However, the. consortium responsible for the construction of the third set of locks, has had delays in the work so the completion date  could be extended to  April 2015
The ACP has approached cruise lines that have expressed interest in site visits with tourists coming to Colon and has also contacted tour operators for group tours.

Panama Teachers Strike Ends

The Panama News:

Strike ends, conflict doesn't

by Eric Jackson

Back in 2006, a Torrijos administration that wasn't doing that well in the polls and was facing a "must win" referendum about which most of the public was apathetic changed the dynamic of the moment by picking a fight with the public school teachers. They "negotiated" an "agreement" with what was essentially a collection of paper organizations "led" by people loyal to the administration, then told the teachers' unions that had actual members that an agreement had been reached on a new contract and there would be no further negotiations. There followed a bitter strike that the teachers lost. Torrijos spent a lot of money on advertising, which tended to push anti-intellectual themes and paint teachers as these pampered elitists who were responsible for the deplorable state of education in this country. Considering that people aligned with the PRD old guard who are now getting trounced in internal party elections by Juan Carlos Navarro were busy looting the already underfunded public schools when that was going on, it was an impressive feat, even if within a matter of months the PRD's malaise returned to its previous state.

Nowadays Ricardo Martinelli has gathered almost all of the levers of governmental power into his own hands but for more than a year now polls have shown that Cambio Democratico would get perhaps 20 percent of the vote in a national election, with the ruling party's popularity dipping well below that number depending on the news of the moment. All indications are that he wants to copy a page out of the previous administration's playbook to enhance his power and popularity.

Minister of Education Lucy Molinar refuses to negotiate with teachers under any circumstances. Under this administration there is no attempt to divide, or to create any puppet organization. Molinar just announces what wages and working conditions will be, and when Panama is embarrassed on international tests, announces that this country will no longer participate in them. A TV show host rather than an educator or administrator, and a member of the right-wing Catholic order Opus Dei who was educated in the most conservative Chilean university at the height of dictator Augusto Pinochet's power, she and the Martinelli administration have moved toward eliminating the teaching of civics, history and Panamanian culture, in favor of public schools that train unskilled laborers who can read the instruction manual for a weed whacker or handle a cash register. And are there parents' representatives who object? They are removed, or are never recognized in the first place.

The teachers' unions have not waged an all-out strike to resolve this situation because they don't think that they could win one. There have been a number of small strikes, mostly local in nature, over specific issues. There has been a steady stream of teacher complaints and criticism of Molinar. But the unions have avoided a big battle that they are not sure they can win.

So what does the government do? It removes parent representative Antonio Castillo. It fires several teachers without the due processes provided by law. Still no strike. It fires Andrés Rodríguez, leader of the ASOPROF teachers' union. It opens up a disciplinary process against Yadira Pino, leader of the AEVE teachers' union. Molinar refuses to meet with the teachers.

Thus, a strike that started in Colon, where Rodríguez has taught art at Colegio Abel Bravo for more than 30 years, and then a few days later turned into a nationwide strike that closed down most of the public schools and disrupted the functions of the rest. More than 80 percent of the teachers walked out, and the strike grew as it progressed.

But so did the agitation against the strike, by business groups, by some parents' groups, in vitriolic government radio appeals, in comments by the first lady and in pronouncements by the Catholic Church. The church, however, recognized that there is a problem that is not just with the teachers and as it called for the schools to reopen it also called upon the government to negotiate in good faith.

Under church mediation, the teachers went back to work on August 14, after a four-day national strike. The Education Ministry agreed to review the ouster of the parents representative and all but one of the teachers. The Rodríguez firing was referred to a special committee on which it appears that the Catholic Church will have the deciding vote, except that the government may in the end just ignore the committee.

Nothing is settled. The teachers haven't won any substantive demands. The government didn't get a victory it can boast about. There are some review processes but teachers and the ministry are not negotiating in any usual sense of the concept. Molinar has shown her authority, and the teachers unions have shown their ability to shut down the schools. Look for more rounds to be fought before this administration ends.

New Panama 3rd Locks construction update

Panama America News:

GUPC (United Group for the Canal) demand 583 million dollars from the ACP

14 | 08 | 2012

The work reflects a delay of 6 months for the delay in approving the specific formula.The contractor expects to complete the work in October 2014 and that the operation is made in April 2015.

Advance. The construction of the locks on the Atlantic and Pacific is 29%. (Victor Rodriguez.)

Related Notes

Achievements of the Canal

G. Soto / D. Diaz (economia.pa @ epasa.com) / D. Diaz

Weight of the evidence of the locks of the Canal

• The evidence of the locks with water are crucial, as there are major progressive penalties up to $ 200 million if they comply with the time of filling and emptying the same and the opening and closing of the gates.

• Designee.

Legal dispute over a million-dollar lawsuit could end up in an international court if the United Group for the Canal (GUPC), responsible for the expansion work of the Canal and Panama Canal Authority (ACP) do not reach an amicable agreement.

This is a demand for 573 million dollars against ACP GUPC presented on 20 July, citing cost overruns and delays in material on site by the delay in approving the ACP had the formula for the concrete to be used in the basins of the locks.

"The demand is for the characteristics of the stone for concrete, with respect to the provisions of the render. The formula was not adopted on time and quality basalt was not established in the technical specifications, "is the explanation of Bernardo Gonzalez Mendieta, director of projects GUPC.

The dispute caused a delay of six months in the works to expand the Panama Canal, which is recognized by both parties and will prevent the work is delivered on time in the contract (October 21, 2014).

"With all the defects, we will make it impossible to meet by 2015" is the promise of Gonzalez Mendieta. To achieve this, he anticipated that they will ask the extension of delivery time because "we understand that we are entitled to a year."

Meanwhile, German Alberto Zubieta, administrator of the ACP recognized that these claims are typical in this type of work, and to resolve the contract was established in the formation of a tripartite international commission would be responsible for handling the claims of the parties .

However, denied that the delay which has been alluded GUPC responsibility of the ACP: "The ACP is not behind on anything. The responsibility for presenting the formula in time and with the specifications in the contract is the contractor, "he said.

German said that it is a formal process in which each person presents his arguments and concludes, "but rejected, which is safer, because they have no merit, we had the international committee was formed from the beginning to resolve such cases. "

He said the amount of the claim does not mean that the ruling indicate the full recognition, as required GUPC.

Against this backdrop, German gave no date for the operation of the new locks, but said it will be for the consortium to recover the time to ensure that is completed within the time given.

In an inspection of the expansion work, President Ricardo Martinelli also addressed the issue. "Honestly, in a work like this always have a claim and for that there are international referees," he said.

The work has 43% overall progress in the expansion program, and 29% in the locks, as announced Ilya Espino de Marotta, project manager for the ACP: "After placing the concrete, six-month trial, and the delay of six months, would be in April 2015 when they begin to operate, "he said.

Both sides reported that the claim does not affect the continuity of work, which carry a higher rate than established. "We're throwing 90 thousand meters cubic of concrete in the Atlantic and 85 000 in the Pacific," said Gonzalez Mendieta, GUPC.

Panama Pacific Beaches

The following photos are of beaches 1 to 2 hour
drive west of Panama City

Coronado

Coronado

Coronado



Gorgona



Gorgona

Coronado

Farallon

Farallon

Farallon

Santa Clara

Santa Clara

El Palmar

El Palmar

El Palmar

Old Panamá (Panamá Viejo) Festival

Old Panama (Panama Viejo) ruins are located on the east side of Panama City.
History of Old Panama, source wikipedia: 

Capt Morgan & the destruction of Old Panama City

On 18 January 1671, Morgan discovered that

Panama had roughly 1,500 infantry and cavalry. He split his forces in two, using one to march through the forest and flank the enemy. The Spaniards were untrained and rushed Morgan's line where he cut them down with gunfire, only to have his flankers emerge and finish off the rest of the Spanish soldiers. Although Panama was at the time the richest city in New Spain, Morgan and his men obtained far less plunder than they had expected. Much of the city's wealth had been removed onto a Spanish ship that then stood out into the Gulf of Panama, beyond the looters' reach. Most of the inhabitants' remaining goods were destroyed in a fire of unclear cause. Morgan's men tortured those residents of Panama they could catch, but very little gold was forthcoming from the victims. After Morgan's attack, the Panama city had to be rebuilt in a new site a few kilometers to the west (the current site). The former site is called Panamá Viejo and still contains the remaining parts of the old Panama City.

Source Panama America News:

Old Panama (Panama Viejo) is preparing for their festivities

13 | 08 | 2012

Carlos M. Patterson (carlos.patterson @ epasa.com) / PANAMA AMERICA

Activities were launched yesterday to commemorate the 493 anniversary of the founding of Old Panama.

The program of events began with a parade involving municipal authorities of Panama and student delegations, with traditional dances, empolleradas, indigenous representatives across the country and other civic attractions.

The various activities will continue until August 15th, when Pedro Arias Davila founded the old city of Panama in 1519.

 

Panamá Viejo Museum

Panama teachers strike continues on Monday

Source: Panama America News:

Teachers strike continues on Monday, that day will sign agreements

11 | 08 | 2012 

The leaders ask parents not to send their children to school, while the Minister Molinar no reason to continue the strike.

Moments when the dialogue was

Related Notes

Rodriguez says Molinar is the "figure ...

After a long day of negotiations between representatives of the various teachers' unions and officials from the Ministry of Education, at the Universidad Santa Maria la Antigua, it was determined that on Monday August 13 agreements will be signed, and the teachers strike continues. So what Andres Rodriguez said the leaders of the Teachers 'Association' and Yadira Pine Veraguas Educators Association, who asked students not to attend the schools Monday. As Education Minister Lucy Molinar said there is no reason for the strike to continue, so we ask parents to send their children to school and teachers to attend to their jobs. As for the discounts to be granted to teachers who had not attended to teach, said the time lost during these days of strikes be retrieved, so you may not deduct wages is no teacher. For this we will implement the necessary mechanisms with the directors of each school said the minister. More information in our print edition tomorrow.

Huelga de docentes continúa el lunes, ese día se firmarán acuerdos

11 | 08 | 2012 

Los dirigentes piden a los padres no enviar a sus hijos a clases, mientras que la ministra Molinar no encuentra razón para seguir la huelga.

Momentos en que se daba el diálogo

Notas relacionadas

Rodríguez dice que Molinar es la "figura...

Luego de una extensa jornada de negociaciones entre los representantes de los diferentes gremios magisteriales y autoridades del Ministerio de Educación, en la Universidad Santa María la Antigua, se determinó que el lunes 13 de agosto se firmarán los acuerdos, y el paro de docentes continúa.

Asi lo aseguraron los dirigentes Andrés Rodriguez de la Asociaciación de Profesores y Yadira Pino de la Asociación de Educadores Veraguenses, quienes pidieron a los alumnos no asistir el lunes a los centros educativos.

En tanto la ministra de Educación Lucy Molinar manifestó que no hay ninguna razón para que la huelga continue, por lo que pide a los padres que envien a sus hijos a clases y a los docentes que asistan a sus  puestos de trabajo. 

En cuanto a los descuentos que se aplicarían a los docentes que no habían asistido a impartir clases, aseguró que el tiempo perdido durante estos días de huelga se va a recuperar, por lo que es probable que no se le descuente salario a ningún docente.

Para esto se estarán aplicando los mecanismos necesarios con los directores de cada centro educativo afirmó la ministra.

Más información en nuestra edición impresa de mañana.

Proposed Bridge on Atlantic (Caribbean) side of Panama Canal

New Canal bridge in Colon gets cash infusion

Friday, 10 August 2012 14:49

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) as approved this year a contribution of $186 million towards the construction of a bridge across the waterway in Colon.

The concrete cable-stayed bridge will be 990 meters long and will improve transport and communications on the Caribbean slope.

Outgoing ACP administrator Alberto Zubieta Aleman confirmed the, details on Friday Jul 10. He said there are several groups aspiring to win the bid to build the bridge, costing approximately $500 million. They include the Brazilian company Odebrecht, and three consortia, one Korean, one Spanish and one French

The consortium China Communications Construction Company / Louis Berger Group won the contract for the final design of the bridge, which will have a height of 75 meters above sea level. The group presented the lowest bid in May ($4.7 million). The budget of the Panama Canal for the fiscal year October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013 anticipated total income $238 billion, and made direct contributions to the state of $960 million and indirect $177 million.

Panama Approves new Canal Toll Increase

World Maritime News:

Government of Panama Approves Canal Toll Increase

Posted on Aug 9th, 2012 

Following the recommendation from the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the Cabinet Council of the Government of the Republic of Panama approved yesterday the proposal to restructure the Panama Canal’s pricing system.

“The new tolls structure was conceived in accordance with the commercial value that the route offers its users. We look forward to working alongside the industry to continue offering a reliable and competitive service,” said Panama Canal Authority Administrator/CEO Alberto Aleman Zubieta.

The new tolls were postponed to October 2012 and October 2013, respectively. After considering comments from the industry, the effective dates of the tolls increase were postponed three months to October 2012 and another 17 months to October 2013.

“The new structure offers price stability to the Panama Canal clients during the next two years, while the approved tolls remain below the value it offers as a safe, reliable and efficient route,” added Aleman Zubieta.

New Segments

The new structure increases the number of segments from eight to ten. It also breaks down the tanker segment into three distinct segments and incorporates the roll-on/roll-off vessels into the vehicle carrier segment. The Panama Canal market segmentation structure includes the following: (1) full container, (2) reefer, (3) dry bulk, (4) passenger, (5) vehicle carrier and ro-ro, (6) tanker, (7) chemical tanker, (8) LPG, (9) general cargo and (10) others. The container/breakbulk segment, which was included in the original proposal, has been eliminated.