---
title: "Panama Canal Outlines Gas Pipeline and Two New Ports to Strengthen Global Logistics"
date: 2025-11-05
modified: 2026-03-19
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/panama-canal-logistics-strategy/
categories:
  - "Business"
  - "Economy"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "gas pipeline"
  - "logistics"
  - "LPG"
  - "Panama Canal"
  - "ports"
  - "Ricaurte Vásquez"
---

# Panama Canal Outlines Gas Pipeline and Two New Ports to Strengthen Global Logistics

## What Happened

Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez spoke at a fireside chat moderated by CNBC senior editor Lori Ann LaRocco during the Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC). Vásquez outlined strategic infrastructure initiatives — including a gas pipeline and construction of two ports at each end of the Canal — intended to bolster the waterway’s ability to provide reliable service amid climate-related risks and global uncertainty.

## Key Projects

Vásquez described the Canal’s plan to develop gas infrastructure in response to rising market demand. The Canal projects that volumes of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) will double over the next ten years, and Vásquez stressed the importance of acting to capture that growth. “Almost everything that comes from the U.S. going to Asia goes through the Panama Canal…. If we do nothing, we’re going to lose that part of the market share. Our long-term vision for the canal includes capturing that growing volume,” he said.

In addition to the gas pipeline, the Canal authority plans to develop two new ports at both ends of the waterway. Vásquez emphasized that participation by private operators will be welcomed if proposals deliver meaningful value within the framework of Panama’s long-term interests.

## Why It Matters

The proposed projects are framed as both commercial and resilience measures. Vásquez noted that the Canal is working to ensure environmental and climate conditions do not disrupt operations, and that diversification through new infrastructure would provide operational assurance for the industry. By expanding gas-handling capacity and adding terminal infrastructure, the Canal aims to retain and grow market share on key U.S.-Asia trade lanes.

## Governance and Process

Vásquez underscored the Canal’s governance approach, saying decisions are made by the Canal and its board to reduce the potential for political influence: “Decisions are made by the Canal and the board. That distinction is important because it eliminates the possibility of political influences.” He also said the authority seeks companies that can deliver “meaningful value” aligned with Panama’s long-term interests.

## Next Steps

The administrator said the Canal is moving quickly on project preparations. “We are having one-on one meetings with terminal operators and shipping clients probably the first week of December. We are trying to get in the terms of reference in order to do pre-qualification. We are moving fast,” Vásquez said, signaling an expedited planning and engagement phase.

## Conference Context

The HIMC was organized by the Port of Houston with support from the International Longshoremen’s Association, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and the OEC Group, bringing supply-chain stakeholders together to discuss maritime commercial trends and collaboration opportunities.