As part of a visit to Tokyo to participate in the International Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Conference, titled “Facing the Challenges of LPG Trade Flows,” Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales held a series of high-level meetings with representatives from Japan’s maritime, energy, and commercial sectors, reaffirming the reliability and strategic value of the Panama Canal route.

During the trip, Vásquez met with Yasushi Noguchi, Director-General of the Latin America and the Caribbean Affairs Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The meeting was also attended by Walter Cohen, Panama’s Ambassador to Japan. According to the Panama Canal Authority, the discussion highlighted the Canal’s efficiency and dependability over the past 25 years under Panamanian administration.

The Canal Administrator also met with major stakeholders from Japan’s maritime and energy industries, including executives from Astomos Energy Corporation, officials from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), representatives from NYK Line, and senior executives from Mitsui & Co. These meetings focused on strengthening cooperation and maintaining open dialogue with key users of the Canal and global trade route.

The Panama Canal Authority noted that Japan is the Canal’s third-largest user by cargo volume, underscoring the importance of these engagements for sustaining efficient trade flows between international markets. The Canal currently serves 180 maritime routes connecting 1,920 ports in 170 countries, reinforcing its central role in global shipping and commercial connectivity.

Through these meetings, the Panama Canal reaffirmed its commitment to operational excellence, international collaboration, and long-term competitiveness, while continuing to strengthen relationships with strategic partners in one of Asia’s most important maritime markets.