The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has officially launched a concessionaire selection process for its new energy pipeline project.
An initial market engagement event was held in Panama City recently, bringing together more than 45 representatives from global energy companies.
The pipeline, a cornerstone of the new interoceanic energy corridor, marks the first major development of this infrastructure platform. It is designed to strengthen Panama’s competitiveness while meeting a strategic demand in the global energy products market.
This corridor will facilitate the transportation of propane, butane and ethane between the Gulf of Mexico and Northeast Asia, freeing up canal capacity without additional water usage. The ACP’s objective is to enhance the canal’s performance by reducing vessel wait times and securing its long-term reliability and competitiveness.
The planned infrastructure includes a 76-kilometre pipeline with a transfer capacity of up to 2.5 million barrels per day, supported by maritime terminals on the Atlantic and Pacific. The ACP has stressed that it is committed to ensuring that the initiative complies with international standards of safety, environmental protection and operational excellence.
During this early phase, the ACP has called for important feedback from potential concessionaires on the proposed structure, roles and concession model. Individual meetings will be held with those interested in participating in the concessionaire selection process.
The global energy companies include CB Fenton & Co, ENEOS, Energy Transfer, ExxonMobil, Fortress, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Mitsubishi, Movement Industries and Shell, among others.
