Panama Canal appointed Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, an economist with more than 30 years’ experience in the public and private sector, as the new administrator of the Panama Canal for a seven-year term at the helm of the waterway, shortly before the Canal celebrates its 20th year under Panamanian administration on 31st December 2019.
Trade now travels along different routes. This new global reality, in which the Canal operates, requires us to redefine and adapt our business. We must face this challenge with intelligence, courage and imagination,
…said Administrator Vásquez.
The new administrator was sworn-in before the Minister for Canal Affairs and Panama Canal Board of Directors Chairman, Aristides Royo, during a ceremony at the Panama Canal Administration Building.
The Panama Canal Board of Directors appointed Dr. Vásquez as new Canal administrator on 15 February.
Dr. Vásquez succeeds Mr. Jorge L. Quijano, who completed his term as administrator on 4 September, after seven years leading the Canal and more than 40 years at the waterway.
While my time as Administrator will come to a close next month, I am deeply thankful for the performance of our dedicated workforce, supportive fellow Panamanians and loyal customers who made the past seven years so fruitful. I will leave the Canal well-positioned for its next era of growth and have tremendous confidence in the new leadership’s ability to build off our strong foundation.,
…said Jorge L. Quijano
Dr. Vásquez begins his term a month before the end of the 2019 fiscal year on 30 September 2019.
His appointment takes place during a period of growth and record-breaking tonnage for the waterway, set forth by the opening of the Expanded Canal in June 2016. In April 2019, the Expanded Canal marked 1.000 operation days.
Dr. Vásquez is the fourth Panamanian administrator of the Canal, following Mr. Quijano (2012-2019), Alberto Aleman Zubieta (1996-2012) and Gilberto Guardia (1990-96), who was the administrator of the Panama Canal Commission, the US federal agency that operated the Canal until 1999.